
S'gor sees 36% rise in Covid-19 cases, no deaths reported, says exco rep
SHAH ALAM: The Covid-19 situation in Selangor saw a 36% increase to 1,082 cases in Epidemiological Week (ME) 24/2025 compared to 795 cases in the previous week.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said, however, the number involved was still below the warning level set based on the trend of cases in Selangor for 2022 to 2024, apart from not involving any deaths so far.
"In Selangor, a total of 7,582 Covid-19 cases were recorded from ME 1 to ME 24 of 2025 (ending on June 14, 2025), compared to 18,231 cases recorded in the same period in 2024," she said in a statement Tuesday (June 24).
Jamaliah said that based on ME 1 to ME 24 this year, Petaling district recorded the highest number of cases, which is 2,475 cases, followed by Hulu Langat (1,435 cases), Klang (974 cases), Gombak (927), Sepang (615), Kuala Selangor (499 cases), Kuala Langat (372 cases), Hulu Selangor (148 cases) and Sabak Bernam (137 cases).
"Based on the findings of the Selangor State Health Department, adults aged 31 to 59 years old are the most frequently infected group, which is 44%, followed by youth aged 18 to 30 years old (27%) and children aged one to six years old, which is 9%," she said.
Commenting further, Jamaliah said that for 2025, a total of 7,582 individuals had undergone Covid-19 screening tests, of which 353 people had been admitted to the ward for further treatment.
"On ME24, a patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to being pregnant and also infected with dengue fever but it was also reported that the patient was transferred to a regular ward on June 17," she said. - Bernama

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
White patches on your face or body? It could be vitiligo
With 0.5%-2% of the global population having this skin condition, vitiligo is not classified as a rare disease. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : About seven years ago, Farah (not her real name) found white spots appearing on the left side of her face. At first, she thought it was a fungal infection. But as weeks passed, the patches spread, eventually covering almost her entire face. She was eventually diagnosed with vitiligo. 'I often get asked what's wrong with my face – whether it is caused by a burn, or whether my skin is peeling. Not many people are familiar with this condition. Some describe it as a 'strange' disease,' Farah, 26, told Bernama. Accepting it, she confessed, was initially difficult. 'My confidence took a hit. But once I got used to it, I started to see it as normal. Now, my skin has almost completely recovered on its own without any treatment or medication.' Vitiligo is a skin condition caused by the loss of pigment, or melanin, in certain areas, resulting in white or lighter patches that contrast with the person's natural skin tone. While it is not harmful to physical health, the visible changes can affect a person's self-confidence and emotional well-being. Content creator Space Dollah, who also has vitiligo, recently opened up about his journey with the condition in a podcast. The 36-year-old, real name Syed Abdullah Syed Abdul Rahman, regularly shares information about the condition, including scientific explanations and documentaries related to vitiligo, on social media. Content creator Space Dollah has been living with vitiligo for the past four years. (YouTube pic) He admitted that he disappeared from social media for six months due to the condition, which he has been living with for the past four years. 'It isn't only on my face but also all over my body, and that made me embarrassed to go out or meet friends. But I started to feel OK once I accepted myself, and I realised I don't need to care about what others think. 'My advice to those with this condition is to take their time to accept it and don't feel pressured,' he said, adding that he is grateful for the support of his family and friends. Not a rare disease Consultant dermatologist Dr Irene Lee points out that vitiligo is not classified as a rare disease, as 0.5%-2% of the global population is affected by it. She said vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells in the skin decrease, resulting in white patches on the surface. The condition can affect people of all backgrounds, and individuals who have a family history of the condition may be at higher risk of developing it. There are two types of vitiligo: non-segmental and segmental. Non-segmental vitiligo is more common and is caused by an autoimmune issue, where the immune system attacks the pigment cells in the skin. Dr Irene Lee. 'Segmental vitiligo, on the other hand, can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune issues, nerve-related problems, and genetics,' Lee said. With non-segmental vitiligo, white patches usually appear on both sides of the body, and these may develop and stop progressing several times throughout a person's life. With segmental vitiligo, the white patches usually appear in one specific area of the body, persist for a while, and then fade. 'Vitiligo usually doesn't cause other symptoms such as pain or itchiness, apart from the appearance of patches. It also doesn't lead to other physical problems or qualify as a disability. 'However, for those with this condition, it may cause emotional stress or affect their quality of life due to the visible patches on their bodies,' Lee said. Stressing that vitiligo is not contagious, Lee noted that cases in Malaysia are at a manageable level, with more patients seeking treatment for the condition thanks to medical advancements and accessibility to healthcare facilities. She added that genetics contributes to 80% of vitiligo cases worldwide. For the remaining 20%, contributing factors include race, autoimmune responses, and biochemical and environmental influences. Cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy can reduce or remove white patches caused by vitiligo. (Envato Elements pic) According to Lee, many vitiligo patients opt for cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy, which can reduce or remove the white patches without affecting other areas of the skin. She said for those with mild vitiligo, non-steroidal creams can be applied to the affected areas, while those with more severe vitiligo may be prescribed medications such as steroids. Ultimately, Lee urges those with vitiligo not to feel ashamed of their condition. 'Vitiligo is simply a difference in skin colour. It has nothing to do with personal hygiene, which people often assume is the cause. 'It is not a contagious disease. Unfortunately, some people are afraid to go near people with vitiligo and avoid them unnecessarily.' She also wants patients to know that vitiligo is treatable, and early intervention can improve the chances of recovery. 'In the meantime, while waiting for the patches to heal, you can cover them with makeup if you wish.'

Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
ASEAN Urged To Strengthen Chemical Incident Response Under 2025 Security Blueprint
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member states must enhance their response to accidental releases of hazardous chemicals, in line with the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, which prioritises efforts to curb and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said Malaysia, as a responsible ASEAN member, remains committed to bolstering regional capabilities through knowledge sharing and skills development, particularly in chemical incident preparedness and response. "To advance this commitment, Malaysia continues to collaborate with international partners through regional and sub-regional cooperation. A key initiative is the 2025 Chemical Incident Preparedness for Hospitals (HOSPREP) programme, held from June 18 to 24. 'This programme delivered nine comprehensive training modules that helped participants understand the nature and effects of chemical weapons, recognise symptoms of exposure, as well as implement appropriate treatment and intervention strategies,' he said at the closing ceremony of the programme here today. He said the programme extended beyond theoretical knowledge by focusing on practical skills, including hands-on training in the use of personal protective equipment and emergency medical procedures applicable in both on-site and hospital settings. "Its integrated approach, covering on-site care, hospital readiness and decontamination, laid the groundwork for an effective response to chemical emergencies. "Additionally, the programme enhanced the collective understanding of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Malaysia's national protection plan, while serving as a platform to promote international cooperation and cross-border coordination in emergency preparedness and response," he said. Jointly organised by the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, HOSPREP 2025 convened healthcare professionals from multiple countries for hands-on training in chemical incident response. 'We are honoured to be part of this strategic collaboration, recognising that the NACWC's role extends beyond CWC compliance to include emergency response, safety and security efforts amid evolving challenges.


The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Poor posture from phone use causing health issues in Malaysians
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians, particularly youth and office workers, are increasingly grappling with posture-related health issues due to excessive phone and digital device use, said Physiogo trainer and physiotherapist Nor Izzah Lukman. 'At Physiogo, over 50% of our clients report neck pain. One of the main contributing factors is poor posture, especially when the head is tilted forward for prolonged periods while using phones.' She said common complaints include 'text neck', shoulder tension and lower back pain. She also said the problem worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic as remote work and online learning drastically increased daily screen time. The most prevalent posture-related conditions include lower back pain, forward neck flexion and shoulder strain, all linked to prolonged sitting and poor spinal alignment. 'When the lumbar sitting angle drops below 90°, it could compress the lumbar nerve roots, leading to pain and nerve irritation,' she explained. Citing research from the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, she noted that 60% of office workers aged between 30 and 50 experience musculoskeletal pain. 'Among younger adults aged between 18 and 30, technology use is the main culprit, while older adults tend to suffer due to years of poor posture and age-related degeneration. 'Women may develop posture issues from pregnancy or osteoporosis while men are more prone to injuries from physical labour or extended sitting,' she added. Nor Izzah highlighted a rise in cases of dropped head syndrome (DHS) in which severe weakness in the neck extensor muscles causes the head to droop forward. 'DHS is typically linked to neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Another variant, isolated neck extensor myopathy, is sometimes seen in elderly patients with spinal deformities such as kyphosis.' She warned that poor ergonomics, such as constantly looking down at phones or using laptops without proper alignment, could result in tension headaches, shoulder tightness and even nerve compression, leading to tingling sensations in the arms. She recommended keeping screens at eye level, maintaining proper back support and sitting with elbows at a 90° angle. 'Follow the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also, take a break every 30 to 60 minutes to stretch.' Simple exercises, such as chin tucks, neck stretches and shoulder rolls, could relieve tension and improve posture. 'Neglecting these habits may lead to chronic conditions, such as disc degeneration or myofascial pain,' she warned. She called for greater public awareness through social media campaigns, infographics and stretching tutorials. 'Education should start early, with school talks that promote healthy posture habits from a young age.' Orthopaedic specialist Dr Rabeenash Singh Rajpal Singh, part of the spine team at Hospital Putrajaya, outlined the key causes of DHS, namely neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, structural deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis, and degenerative or postural issues such as cervical spondylosis. He added that patients who have undergone radiation therapy for thyroid or neck cancers may develop DHS due to muscle and nerve damage. 'Scoliosis and kyphosis, often diagnosed during adolescence, can worsen over time if not treated,' he said. He said while physiotherapy may help in mild cases, severe spinal deformities may require surgical correction to restore alignment. He explained that cervical spondylosis, caused by disc wear and tear, could compress nerves and trigger pain in the neck and arms, although it typically does not lead to full head drooping as seen in DHS. Early signs of DHS include numbness or tingling in the hands, neck stiffness and muscle weakness during simple tasks, such as brushing teeth. 'These red flags are often ignored until more serious complications occur, such as mobility loss or bladder dysfunction,' he cautioned. Rabeenash advised maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and staying physically active. 'Strengthening core muscles with exercises such as Pilates is especially beneficial.' He warned against long hours of sitting with poor posture. 'Sit upright, do not slouch and avoid hunching over devices. These small changes could make a big difference in long-term spinal health.'