GEORGE TOWN – Penang is in dire need of another low-risk Covid-19 centre in the state as cases are expected to spike in the coming days.
The spike is expected as more foreign workers and their close contacts are being sent for testing.
The state health department held a meeting with stakeholders today to discuss the matter as well.
The state breached 4,000 cumulative cases on Sunday and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow earlier suggested that more low-risk quarantine and treatment centres be set up to accommodate the increasing number of patients.
Penang has about 140,000 foreign workers due to the abundance of its industrial zones and the large Rohingya community here.
A spokesman from the state health department said it is looking for a suitable place on the island with the capacity to accommodate 1,000 beds.
It was learnt that a couple of days ago, several patients from Penang were sent to Perak to continue their treatment due to insufficient beds.
The Health Ministry currently has two such centres on the island – Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang with 190 beds and Balik Pulau sports complex with 432 beds.
The sports complex has garnered various complaints, especially from local patients, who are uncomfortable being housed together with foreigners.
Videos have also surfaced showing the squalid conditions at the Balik Pulau facility.
According to current health standard operating procedures, when a person tests positive for the coronavirus, they must be taken to a Covid-19 hospital, while low-risk centres are for those who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. – The Vibes, January 5, 2021
