GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government foresees that 100% of the adult population in the state will have received their Covid-19 booster shots by the end of February.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state’s booster dose vaccination capacity was about 18,000 doses a day through 100 private clinics, 10 off-site vaccination centres, and seven private hospitals.
“Penang does not have a mega-PPV for booster dose administration, but with a capacity of 18,000 doses per day, I reckon we will be able to achieve the 100% target as set by the Health Ministry by the end of February.”
Chow also advised adults in Penang to be prepared to receive their booster dose appointments via MySejahtera.
In addition, Chow said that although the number of Covid-19 positive cases had dropped to an average of 160 to 200 cases a day in Penang, efforts to monitor the R-naught and new variants were still ongoing.
He said Covid-19 related facilities, which had been discontinued, were also placed on standby should cases increase due to the new variant infections.
“The number of Covid-19 patients admitted to the Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centre averages about 70 to 80 people daily. The use of hospital beds has also recorded a decrease, but the state remains on standby in the event of an increase in cases,” he said.
Chow said he had urged the Penang Health Department to speed up the rate of booster dose administration.
He said that through yesterday’s meeting between the Penang State Security Special Committee and Covid-19 Pandemic Management, it was decided that Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang would continue to be placed on standby as a quarantine and treatment centre, as well as a Covid-19 assessment centre on a drive-through basis for the northeast district.
He said the meeting also decided that the Mara Excellence Centre would continue to serve as a quarantine centre in the state, while Bahang Bay Hotel and Vouk Suites Hotel would function as private quarantine stations for travellers returning from abroad. – Bernama, January 11, 2022
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