GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s record daily high of 226 Covid-19 infections yesterday was expected due to the mandatory screening of foreign workers at construction sites and factories.
Of the fresh cases, 185 are from existing clusters, and 110 from the new Rawa Akasia cluster, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a statement.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry said 15 cases in Penang were detected in close-contact tracing, and 26 from other screening.
The index case in the Rawa Akasia cluster is a 50-year-old woman, who tested positive on Christmas Eve.
Within seven days, she had spread the virus to family and contacts in Bukit Mertajam, Nibong Tebal and Balik Pulau.
As of yesterday, the cluster has 117 cases.
There are now nine active clusters in the state, replacing another nine that were declared contained after no fresh infections were detected in the last 14 days.
“The hike in cases in Penang was expected as health authorities have increased screening among foreign nationals, as well as close-contact tracing,” said Chow.
“There is also the commitment from local employers to compel their foreign workers to undergo testing at registered clinics under the Socso (Social Security Organisation) initiative.”
A total of 135,490 foreign workers registered with Socso will undergo testing in stages.
Chow implored employers to fully adopt health standard operating procedures at the workplace and workers’ living quarters, saying it is everyone’s responsibility to break the chain of transmission in Penang. – The Vibes, January 2, 2021
