GEORGE TOWN – After three days in self-quarantine, Penang health exco Dr Norlela Ariffin has been cleared of Covid-19, with her PRC test taken yesterday returning negative today.
She expressed relief over the matter, after being forced to leave a key meeting and press conference with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin upon receiving news that she is a close contact of a coronavirus patient.
Khairy was in Penang for a work and familiarisation visit on Saturday.
Present during the presser were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, welfare exco Phee Boon Poh and state-federal Covid-19 coordinator Steven Sim.
Dr Norlela told The Vibes that she was asked by the district health office to undergo a swab test yesterday.
Her driver earlier tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with Penang Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar’s driver, who also caught Covid-19.
The duo sat next to each other for a meal during the state assembly sitting two weeks ago. Both are fully vaccinated.
Dr Norlela said she still has to observe self-quarantine until September 23, as the virus’ incubation period is 14 days.
The Penanti assemblyman will undergo an RTK-Ag test if she does not develop symptoms within these two weeks.
Penang’s Covid-19 cases have risen exponentially since the start of August, with 22,429 people (93.2%) considered active cases currently under home quarantine.
There are 772 patients (3.2%) at low-risk quarantine and treatment centres, and 802 (3.3%) are in hospital.
The state also has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the country, with 16.5 fatalities per 100,000 population. – The Vibes, September 13, 2021
