GEORGE TOWN – Up to 1,000 persons will be able to undergo free Covid-19 screening each day starting Monday after the state government approved a programme to provide targeted Covid-19 screenings for communities across the state.
The first screening location is at the Penang City Stadium which is accessible for people from Datuk Keramat, where the stadium is located, and five other nearby state constituencies.
The Penang Covid-19 Screening (PSC-19) service will eventually cover all 40 state constituencies with this same facility.
The first phase of the PSC-19 will start on Monday and end on July 18.
Penang local government exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the second phase will continue right after the end of the first, with the screening centre being moved elsewhere for the benefit of people in other constituencies.
Initially the City Stadium was meant to only serve people from four constituencies – Datuk Keramat, Padang Kota, Sg Pinang and Pulau Tikus.
“However, due to the advice of the Penang Health Department (JKNPP), we have added two more constituencies – Pengkalan Kota and Batu Lanchang – to the list,” he said during a visit to see the preparations at the stadium today.
“There will be six doctors, eight health assistants and six lab assistants who will conduct the screenings here on Monday,” he said, adding that this is just the beginning and more will be added soon.
“The objective is to identify positive cases and isolate them. When we can do that, we can reduce the spread of the virus,” he said.
“We are hoping that there are no cases. But if we can identify even one case and isolate the person, we can reduce it from spreading to 10 more people.”
The PSC-19 programme uses RTK-Ag tests. Those who undergo screening will be advised to return home right after the test. Results will be updated within two hours.
Those who test positive will have to return to take the PCR test. – The Vibes, July 2, 2021
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