KUALA LUMPUR: There were 3,764 new COVID-19 cases reported as of noon today, a slight increase from yesterday's 3,229, bringing the cumulative number of infections in the country so far to 2,820,927.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said of the new cases, 47 (1.2 per cent) were in categories three, four and five while 3,717 (98.8 per cent) were in categories one and two.

"Of the 3,764 cases, 522 are imported cases and 3,242 are local transmissions, while 160 are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 72 require respiratory assistance," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, he said 3,254 recoveries were reported, bringing the cumulative total so far to 2,747,457.

A total of 17 new clusters were recorded, with 214 clusters still active, he added.

According to Dr Noor Hisham, the country's average infectivity rate or Rt value was currently 1.00, with Kuala Lumpur recording the highest Rt value of 1.09 as of yesterday.

He also advised the public to continue to adhere to the health recommendations and advice, including receiving COVID-19 vaccination to reduce the risk of serious infection and death, as well as to build herd immunity.

"Vaccination and booster doses can protect people around us from the possibility of contracting COVID-19.

"With herd immunity formed, groups that are not yet eligible for immunisation can be protected," he said.

-- BERNAMA