A security guard checks the temperature of a shopper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 16, 2020. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

 
Malaysian health ministry reported 15 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a dramatic drop from the 187 the day before.

Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said at a press briefing that the new cases pushed the national total to 7,619 of which 1,421 are active cases.

Malaysia had seen a spike in cases since last week with clusters mostly involving inmates at three immigration detention facilities and construction sites mostly involving foreign workers.

Noor Hisham said six of the new cases are imported and nine more are local transmissions, including four foreign nationals. The decrease of local transmission down to a single digit showed the tactic of the government have worked since easing the restriction on May 4.

Still, he cautioned the public not to be complacent due to the drop in cases, urging them continue to remain vigilant by practicing social distancing and other measures to stop the spread of the disease.

Another 42 had been released on Wednesday, bringing the total cured and discharged to 6,083 or 79.8 percent of all cases. Of those still receiving treatment, eight are currently being held in intensive care and four of those are in need of assisted breathing.

No new deaths had been reported, leaving the total deaths at 115.