GEORGE TOWN, February 9 – The Penang State Government is ready to face the wave of Omicron spread in the state. Through an internal meeting that took place just now, the Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) informed that an increase in cases in Penang within a week was expected which now has the spread of Omicron waves in the community (community spread).
To date, the reported cases involve Category 1 as well as Category 2A, and the number of hospital admissions is still under control. Although there has been an increase in patients to the COVID-19 Low Risk Quarantine & Treatment Center (PKRC) at the MARA Center of Excellence (MEC), the number is still under control and further monitoring is continuing.
Penang until 12 noon, 9 February 2022 recorded 21 active clusters with a breakdown by sector, namely four involving manufacturing (4); workplace (5); educational institutions (10); high -risk groups (1) and detention centers (1).
Therefore, the public is urged to take booster dose injections for personal protection. For children aged five years and above, immediately register through the COVID-19 National Children’s Immunization Program (PICKids) which is currently underway.
Apart from Penang Hospital (HPP) and Seberang Jaya Hospital which have started special PICKids for comorbid children, a total of five (5) PICKids vaccination centers (PPV) (for normal children) will operate in the five districts of the state. This is the Sungai Nibong Festival Site for the North East District on 12 February 2022.
Sunshine Shopping Mall Hall, Bayan Baru (Southwest District), Sunshine Bertam Shopping Mall (North Seberang Perai), Seberang Jaya Expo Site (Central Seberang Perai District) and Cassia Town MPKK Hall (South Seberang Perai) respectively on February 14, 2022.
In the meantime, the meeting also refined the following matters for further action:-
(i) Establish private PKRCs such as in hotels other than the existing MECs to accommodate and face the increase in positive cases that require quarantine outside the residence;
(ii) Digital management of COVID-19 through MySejahtera application;
(iii) Operation of the Call Center Hotline COVID -19 Assessment Center (CAC) JKNPP, 04 – 3827143 /04 – 3827142 remains operational from 8 am to 5 pm on a daily basis;
(iv) Hotline/other call centers/standby movement to be activated if required.
