GEORGE TOWN – Penang aspires to become a zero-Covid-19 state as cases began to decrease significantly over the past week in tandem with high vaccination rates and a greater sense of public awareness about the perils of the pandemic.
In view of the increasing number of the vaccinated among the registered adults, where close to 100% of the adult population are double-dosed, while another 80% of teenage school children also fully jabbed, the state hopes it can achieve a zero-case rate by next year.
“We did it before, and I am confident we can do it again despite the challenges,” State Housing, Local Government, and Town and Country Planning exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said.
Speaking before handing out goodie bags to those warded at Penang Hospital in conjunction with Deepavali, Jagdeep said that last year, there were a few weeks when Penang did not register any new cases, and it can be replicated again.
“What is needed is total cooperation from the public and the authorities.”
Currently, Penang already has a high rate of compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the local government areas.
In order to improve, such standards must be applicable to everyone from the public to the private sectors, Jagdeep said.
Yesterday, Penang recorded 276 cases, one of the lowest in recent memory, but it continues to have a high death rate with eight who died.
Penang remains in the top five states for the number of deaths per million people, with a total death count of 1,607 as of last night.
Jagdeep also revealed that almost 99% of the personnel attached to the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Prai City Council have been vaccinated.
As for Deepavali which falls tomorrow, the Datuk Keramat assemblyman said that there is a need to closely observe the SOPs, such as organising social gatherings for only close family members and to stay indoors if one exhibits Covid-19 symptoms.
He also said that constant testing and ensuring that everyone is fully vaccinated can help in the fight to contain the spread of Covid-19. – The Vibes, November 3, 2021
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