GEORGE TOWN – Starting June, the vaccination rate in Penang will be ramped up to 22,000 persons each week.
This is a two-fold increase compared to this month’s vaccination rate, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
In a statement, he said the state government will liaise with those involved in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) and the state health department on the matter.
Chow also said Penang will look into the setting up of a mega vaccination centre, which is more efficient in the implementation of the PICK initiative.
This includes inoculating as many economic frontliners as possible to curb the infection rate.
More than half of the over 27,000 Covid-19 cases in Penang originated from industrial-related clusters.
“Penang is also discussing a concrete plan to vaccinate people in the state. It is related to the state’s aspiration to purchase its own vaccines to safeguard the safety and health of its people.”
Chow said there are logistics aspects, registration which can integrate data from MySejahtera, and the formation of a medical team to help in the process.
During the total lock down starting next week, Penang will adopt the 3Ts: testing, tracing, and treatment.
The state will also work with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang chapter to conduct on-site pooled saliva RT-PCR screening for factory workers.
To date, 920 screenings involving nine factories have been conducted.
A total of 56,428 screenings were conducted by the state health authorities between May 9 and May 22, of which 8.37% were positive cases between May 9 and May 15, while 5.39% positive cases were found between May 16 and May 22.
Hr urged residents to safeguard themselves and implement standard operating procedures at all times besides maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks and sanitising their hands. – The Vibes, May 29, 2021
