GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has issued a reminder to individuals who conduct Covid-19 self-tests to properly dispose of the kits by putting them in airtight containers and disinfecting said containers before discarding them.
The authorities made the urgent call after discovering that many self-test kits were dumped in public areas, where they are dangerously exposed.
State exco Phee Boon Poh warned that improper disposal of these kits could lead to the spread of the coronavirus in its surrounding areas.
Speaking to The Vibes here, Phee said the used kits are defined as medical waste, and are therefore supposed to be handled by special technicians before being destroyed as part of sanitisation procedures to curb Covid-19 cases.
However, he said, it is impossible for medical waste to be collected in every household where self-testing is conducted. These kits can now be easily bought from pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals here.
“The onus is on each person who conducts their own testing at home to disinfect (the waste) and store it in airtight containers or plasticware, so it does not compromise other solid waste,” said Phee.
“When at home, medical waste cannot be collected. So the people must use measures to prevent any kind of contamination. They must place the test kits and other equipment they use to fight the virus in an enclosed container. It must be disinfected.”
He lamented that nowadays many people are resorting to self-testing, and if found positive under categories 1 or 2, are directed to quarantine at home.
Those who self-quarantine must also ensure their homes are fully disinfected to prevent the virus from spreading to their families, friends, neighbours, and communities, said Phee.
Meanwhile, despite being so close to achieving an 80% first-dose vaccination rate this week among those registered for jabs via MySejahtera, Penang has been struggling with over 1,000 fresh infections daily since last week.
Case numbers continue to escalate despite strong adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) by businesses allowed to reopen under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan, with reports that the youth are also falling seriously ill from the virus.
Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the private sector has a 99% SOP compliance rate, but the caseload somehow continues to rise, as the suspicion is that the virus has broken through to communities or is circulating among factories or colonies of undocumented migrant workers.
The Mydin supermarket in Penang Road was ordered shut due to suspected cases, while Penang’s oldest emporium – Gama Supermarket – will be closed today as it undergoes a total sanitisation exercise ahead of its reopening under Phase 2.
Penang General Hospital continues to seek donations for equipment to aid those in categories 3 to 5, such as breathing apparatus and oxygen tanks, while there is also a need for blood donations. – The Vibes, August 25, 2021
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