CORONAVIRUS | Malaysia today recorded 36 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) on March 18.

This brings the total infections to 5,425, according to Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"This is among the lowest number of daily cases," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Noor Hisham also reported that there were no deaths today, the first time since March 20. This means the death toll remains at 89.

He also announced that another 98 patients have recovered from Covid-19 and discharged from the hospital.

As such, a total of 3,295 patients have recovered, or 60.7 percent of total cases.

The latest figures mean there are still 2,041 active cases, namely Covid-19 patients who are still under treatment and can infect others.

Of those under treatment, 45 are in the intensive care unit (ICU), down from 46 yesterday.

Of the Covid-19 patients in ICU, 28 are on ventilators, up from 26 yesterday.

The released data is updated up to noon today.

"The drop in daily cases recently is a result of the proactive and aggressive action in tracing cases, particularly in the last two weeks.

"However, the number of new cases could rise again in the next two weeks considering tracing activities are being intensified, particular among Malaysians returning from overseas and in enhanced MCO areas," he said.

To date the Health Ministry had conducted 13,277 tests in the enhanced MCO areas and 796 people have tested positive, he said.

He also stressed that people must not take the improved situation for granted.

"Our fight continues and it is surely not yet over," he said.

Noor Hisham urged people to abide by the MCO as well as practice good hygiene and social distancing.

Malaysia has been under a partial lockdown since March 18.

Under the MCO, all non-essential businesses and services were ordered closed and people cannot leave their homes except for approved reasons, such as buying groceries within a 10km radius.

The move, aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, has brought a large part of the country's economy to a standstill.

It is set to end on April 28, if a further extension is not made.

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

Malaysiakini is providing free access to the most important updates on the coronavirus pandemic. You can find them here.

Help keep independent media alive - subscribe to Malaysiakini.