Headache for Penang as vaccine shortage comes amid Covid-19 spike

GEORGE TOWN – Health authorities here are worried over the lack of vaccination centres (PPVs) in Penang island amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.
 
Penang registered a record 1,867 cases today, making it the state with the third highest number of cases in the country.
 
Deputy Health Director-General Datuk Dr Asmayani Khalib said that most cases stemmed from factories and close contacts.
 
She also said that there has been a significant increase in sporadic cases with no relation to any clusters.
 
“There is a drastic increase, as we see today from Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag) testing, since the results are quicker compared with PCR tests.
 
“Of the total 1,867 positive cases in Penang today, 1,257 are from RTK-Ag testing.
 
“Once we consider them positive cases, we give them the pink band and get them to isolate quicker,” the former state health director said.
 
The surge in cases is a double whammy for the state, which has been hit by a shortage of vaccines this week, causing several PPVs to close.
 
This includes PPVs at the Balik Pulau sports complex, Balai Rakyat Bayan Baru, Pesta site in Sg Nibong and Dewan Millennium in Kepala Batas.
 
Those who were set to take their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine were rescheduled to next week.
 
Meanwhile, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng in a statement urged PPVs facing vaccine shortages to inform their Pakatan Harapan representatives.
 
“I have mentioned publicly on August 16 that the Loh Guan Lye Hospital PPV had terminated its services for second dose vaccinations for at least seven days.
 
“The Penang One Hope Charity Centre PPV in Juru was also forced to terminate services for the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine from August 18 due to vaccine shortages.
 
“Yesterday, the Penang One Hope Charity PPV in Juru had their vaccine supplies restored, allowing the PPV to operate as normal.
 
“I have just been informed that Loh Guan Lye Hospital PPV had their vaccine supply resumed today, allowing for second dose vaccination,” he said.
 
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the surge in cases has resulted in the opening of the Caring Society Complex (KMP) as a quarantine and low-risk treatment centre.
 
“We see patients under Category 3 to 5 increasing to more than 40% of total hospital admissions.
 
“Due to this, the state Health Department (JKNPP) had to look for additional space to accommodate these patients.
 
“Our effort to open more wards has already been done at Penang General Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital.
 
“We need more because of the increased cases,” he said in a press conference today.
 
The ward at KMP, which opens on Friday, can accommodate 97 patients who need oxygen supply.
 
Chow also made an appeal to all businesses, corporations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help furnish wards with both medical and non-medical appliances.
 
Those seeking to provide aid can contact JKNPP’s medical officer Dr A. Lingeshwaran at 012-594 4347. – The Vibes, August 18, 2021