AKIPRESS.COM - Malaysia has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases, announcing 190 new confirmed patients on March 15, Straits Timesreports.

“Based on initial investigations, the majority of these new cases are linked to the cluster involving the ‘ijtimak tabligh’ gathering at the Jamek Sri Petaling Mosque,” said the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

The Health Ministry had announced on Saturday that 77 people confirmed for Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, were linked to the religious event held at a mosque in Selangor.

The gathering was attended by about 16,000 people from several countries.

With the new cases, the tally of those affected by Covid-19 in Malaysia has climbed to 428 people. Of the total, 42 have been discharged. Nine patients are in intensive care units (ICU) in hospitals and require respiratory assistance. This is an increase from five ICU patients on Saturday.

Dr Adham said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will meet with the health and defence ministries on Monday to discuss further measures for tackling the pandemic, following the steep spike in infections.

While the ministry did not provide specifics of the 190 new cases, including where they were infected, it said the bulk are linked to the religious gathering held from Feb 27 to March 1.

Authorities estimated about 14,500 attendees were Malaysians.