Penang needs self-test kits amid soaring cases, FMM tells govt

GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s Covid-19 numbers reached an all-time high last week as daily infections ranged between 125 and 200 cases, with the majority recorded in the manufacturing industry.

While manufacturers say all standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being adhered to, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong attributed the issue to undetected asymptomatic cases.

“Even though SOPs are being followed, there are still many ways for workers to come into contact with the virus. While waiting for everyone to be vaccinated, we reiterate our proposal to have the government roll out the saliva self-test kits, which are easier and more affordable.

“Everyone, especially in the red zone areas, should be tested,” he told The Vibes.

Saliva test kits have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for emergency use. It is now widely used in many other countries, especially universities and schools, to identify positive cases and isolate them. 

Indonesia recently rolled out the saliva testing kits as clinical trials revealed they have a 94% sensitivity and 98% specificity.

“The industrial workers, which now form the largest cluster in Malaysia, should all be self-tested before they come to work.

“FMM will be very happy to work with the Health Ministry and state authorities to ensure the factories in the red zone implement self-testing using these kits.

“We hope the Social Security Organisation can provide the free saliva test kits to registered members to ease the burden of companies that wish to carry out the tests.”

Ong added that vaccination should be prioritised for all industries, not only factories with more than 5,000 employees.

Recently, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that vaccination for “economic frontliners”, especially those working in the manufacturing sector in Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme may be implemented through public-private partnership methods.

He said prioritising “economic frontliners” would further reduce infections, especially in factory clusters in Penang. 

Penang yesterday recorded 185 new Covid-19 cases, more than double the number of fresh infections from the previous day. – The Vibes, April 4, 2021