Covid-19 tally set to soar in Penang with new testing approach

GEORGE TOWN – Penang expects the daily number of recorded Covid-19 cases to increase exponentially after state health authorities decided to only rely on the Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag) with immediate effect.
 
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the rise in numbers is expected in view of the need to conduct mass testing, besides ramping up vaccinations to fight the virus.
 
Yesterday, Penang recorded an all-time high of 1,335 cases, which puts it just a few cases behind Kedah in terms of cumulative number of cases.
 
The island state has recorded more than 50,000 cases since March last year and 267 deaths.
 
The RTK-Ag tests yield results within 15 minutes, whereas the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests take up to 24 hours, but is seen as more accurate.
 
Previously, those confirmed as positive via a RTK-Ag test still had to undergo a PCR test for confirmation, but the state health authorities have decided to do away with this.
 
This also follows reports that the new Delta and Lambda variants are more difficult to detect through testing, with many doctors depending on the persons' own surveillance of their well-being.
 
Chow told a press conference that the RTK-Ag tests by health authorities will complement the state's own mass testing exercise and National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
 
Penang is expecting 50% of its adults to be fully vaccinated by the end of this month. 
 
“The PCR testing kit will be reintroduced once the caseload is reduced.
 
“All those who registered are expected to at least get their first dose by next month," said Chow, adding that the effort to ramp up immunisation is ongoing, except for the slight disruption in the supply of the Pfizer vaccine globally this month.
 
Citing the consequences of the RTK-Ag testing, Chow said that in the week July 25-31, a total of 4,309 positive cases (7.79% positivity rate) were reported out of the 55,335 people screened.
 
From August 1-7, there were 5,881 positive cases (11.24% positivity rate) out of the 51,947 tested.
 
This means Penang now has a positivity rate of 11% now, said Chow.
 
As for dine-ins, Chow said that Penang will recommend to the National Security Council to allow food operators to ensure that 50% of their staffers have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
 
He also said tourism attractions remain closed for now but hotels are allowed to accept the fully vaccinated to stay at their premises.
 
Inter-district travel is allowed for fully vaccinated travellers but travelling interstate requires special permission from the police, Chow added. – The Vibes, August 12, 2021