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Malaysia Virus Infections Rise Most in 2 Weeks on Imported Cases

Malaysia Virus Infections Rise Most in 2 Weeks on Imported Cases

(Bloomberg) --

Malaysia reported the highest daily increase in new coronavirus cases since April 16 due to infections among people who returned from overseas.

The country confirmed 94 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, of which 72 recently flew back from neighboring Indonesia, Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a briefing. That brings the total number of cases to 5,945.

Malaysia said its lockdown has succeeded in flattening the curve as the number of new cases declined to a six-week low on Tuesday. That’s even as the health ministry cautioned against the possibility of new waves of infections among foreign workers, as seen in Singapore, or among those returning from overseas. The restriction on people’s movement was extended to May 12 with limited travel allowed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The government is discussing steps toward lifting some restrictions with a focus on allowing economic activities to continue before social and educational activities, Noor Hisham said. Sectors that were already allowed to reopen with limited workforce during the lockdown can now operate with full capacity, according to the trade ministry.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.