Malaysia Adds Fewest Virus Cases Since March After Surge Among Migrant Workers

(Bloomberg) --

Malaysia reported the smallest increase in new coronavirus cases since March 12, after it saw a surge of infections among migrant workers earlier this week.

The country added 15 cases on Wednesday to bring the overall number of infections to 7,619 with 115 deaths, according to the health ministry. The country added a total of 359 new cases on Tuesday and Monday, most of which were found among foreign workers at immigration detention centers as the government stepped up testing.

The drop in the daily rise of new cases on Wednesday shows the result of the government’s measures, including the lockdown moves, while the earlier jump in infections among foreigners was due to the health ministry’s “targeted approach” to curbing the spread of the disease, said Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Malaysia has detained hundreds of undocumented people, required testing for all migrant workers and imposed stricter lockdown on some buildings home to mostly foreigners. That’s after neighboring Singapore saw infections surge in dormitories for foreign workers. Civil rights groups have since criticized Malaysia’s stance toward migrant workers, which many industries rely on for cheaper labor, including construction, restaurants and plantations.

Human rights organization Lawyers for Liberty called for a temporary amnesty for undocumented people to ensure they get access to healthcare during the pandemic. Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Tuesday that all undocumented migrants detained at immigration detention centers will be tested and that two more hospitals will be designated to treat them.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.