The air quality this afternoon improved as the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded lower readings with Kota Tinggi and Pasir Gudang in Johor out of the hazardous level.

Kota Tinggi which recorded reading of 323 (hazardous) improved to 226 (very unhealthy) while Pasir Gudang which recorded 310 (hazardous) improved with reading of 189 (unhealthy).

However, the Department of Environment (DOE) website said as of 5pm, Bukit Rambai (Melaka) and Port Dickson (Negeri Sembilan) recorded very unhealthy levels.

Bukit Rambai recorded reading of 257, Port Dickson recorded 205 while Muar which recorded improved reading of 193 (unhealthy) at noon declined to 273 (very unhealthy.

Yesterday, Muar recorded the highest API reading of 383 (hazardous). Other areas recorded between good and moderate API readings.

Some 600 schools in Johor have been closed due to the haze, involving 319,341 students.

The schools were in Muar, Batu Pahat, Pasir Gudang, Pontian and Kota Tinggi districts.

The state health department said the number of patients seeking treatment for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) rose 21 percent this week compared to last week.