2 Covid-19 deaths in M'sia: Pastor, 60, in Sarawak & 34-year-old man who attended religious event in Selangor

Two deaths in one day.

Syahindah Ishak| March 17, 2020, 06:24 PM

On Tuesday (Mar. 17), Malaysia reported two Covid-19 fatalities.

The announcement was made by Malaysia's Ministry of Health on its official Twitter page:

First victim was a 60-year-old pastor

According to The Star, the first victim, David Cheng, was a 60-year-old pastor from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kuching, Sarawak.

He passed away at 11am at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

Sarawak's State Health Department said that it is still in the process of identifying the source of the victim's infection.

Meanwhile, 193 of the victim's close contacts have been traced and are quarantined at home.

11 new cases reported in Sarawak on Mar. 17

Sarawak reported 11 new confirmed Covid-19 cases on Mar. 17, reported Malay Mail.

Six of the cases are from Kuching, three are from Limbang, and one from Betong and Lawas each.

The patients are currently being treated at Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Miri Hospital.

Additionally, 35 persons-under-investigation (PUI) were also recorded.

204 patients are still awaiting test results.

As of Mar. 17, 45 Covid-19 cases in Sarawak have been traced to the Sri Petaling mosque cluster, a church cluster in Kuching, a cluster in Sarikei and another cluster in Kuching with a source that has yet to be identified.

Second victim was 34 years old

The second victim was a 34-year-old man.

He was designated as Case 178 and he attended the mass religious event held at Sri Petaling mosque between Feb. 27 and Mar. 1.

He developed a fever on Mar. 5 and subsequently tested positive at Permai Hopsital in Johor.

His condition then worsened and he was pronounced dead on Mar. 17.

Top image via & M Khairi Al Jawhari/FB via Amrin Amin.