GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is calling on the people to offer moral support to family member or friends now under quarantine at home for being close or casual contacts of Covid-19 patients, as the state works harder to cut the transmission rate of the virus here.
Chow said family support is essential to help those under quarantine deal with the adversities and stress associated with the highly infectious virus.
He listed six daily practices that the people can do to aid the authorities in the battle against Covid-19.
He said people are to only go out when necessary and when they do, they must wear masks and maintain physical distancing; adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) at workplaces and to constantly monitor one’s own health conditions and to seek treatment if any symptoms emerge.
Individuals under quarantined at home must comply with the directives and self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus, while family members and friends must constantly provide moral support to those under self-isolation, even if they are unable to meet each other physically, he added.
The people must also register under the National Immunisation Programme to receive the vaccine to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible, he said.
“The battle against the virus is far from over. It is a battle for us all, so every resident in Penang needs to abide by the SOPs, especially during the start of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”
Chow said this after a briefing by state health authorities here.
He said that 70% of regular beds for Covid-19 patients have been taken up in public hospitals here, whereas ICU units have recorded full 100% capacity.
Three public hospitals in Penang have been designated to treat Covid-19 patients who require hospitalisation.
Chow said a spike in cases was seen between May 2 and May 8, during which 1,682 cases were detected, while clusters emerged from workplaces, educational institutions, social and socio-economic activities here.
There are more than 1,000 active cases in Penang now, with today’s new infections at 187.
“It is a worrying trend and we do not want what has happened in India to replicate in Penang.”
Chow said that state agencies stand ready to provide material support to the health and enforcement authorities in a bid to contain the outbreak. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021
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