COVID-19: Malaysia's Death Rate Is Still Low, Says Health DG

    PUTRAJAYA, April 9 (Bernama) -- The incidence of COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia is still low at an average rate of 1.58 per cent of infected individuals, compared with the approximate 4.6 to 5.6 per cent in other countries.         Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this percentage was evidence that the medical services in the country, whether they were provided in the wards or in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), was at a good and satisfactory level.         “Our experts such as anaesthetists are able to to treat patients swiftly, and I wish to extend my appreciation to them for providing excellent and effective treatment to all patients in the wards and the ICUs,” he said at the daily COVID-19 press conference held at the Health Ministry here Thursday.         Dr Noor Hisham said 4.9 per cent of COVID-19 patients were admitted into ICUs, with about 35 to 40 per cent of these patients going on to be discharged, while the remaining patients continue to be nursed in the ICUs or return to normal wards.         He added that about 30 per cent of patients in ICUs needed ventilator support.         -- BERNAMA