Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said this brings the number of people still warded at the two hospitals to 29, from 120 reported yesterday.

Four people are still in the intensive care unit compared to seven previously. They are reportedly in stable condition.

In a statement today, Sahruddin said 30 teams under the energy, science, technology, environment and climate change ministry would be mobilised to monitor the air quality at 42 schools within a five- to nine-kilometre radius of the polluted river.

“The teams will comprise personnel from the Department of Environment and the Chemistry Department, who will carry out comprehensive monitoring activities from today,” he said.

He added that the teams would use portable gas detectors to ensure that the air quality at the affected areas is safe.

“Five parameters to be monitored are for oxygen, carbon monoxide, low exposure limit, the volatile organic compound and hydrogen sulphide,” he said.