GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government plans to set up more facilities to administer Covid-19 vaccine booster doses in efforts to provide better access for people in the state.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state Health Department was in the middle of identifying healthcare organisations that could help provide suitable halls for the purpose.
“As of yesterday, 73 private facilities (clinics and hospitals) as well as a healthcare organisation with a capacity of over 1,000 shots a day have been operating as booster dose facilities in the state.
“At the same time we need to create more awareness of the need for booster doses, as only 60% to 70% of people who were given appointments through MySejahtera turned up for the shot,” he said in a statement today.
In terms of medical facilities for Covid-19 acute cases, he said as of yesterday, 34% of the beds at Penang Hospital and Kepala Batas Hospital were occupied.
“Meanwhile, bed occupancy in intensive care units for Covid-19 patients in the state is at 53% and we are always on standby to face any eventuality,” he added.
As for the Covid-19 low-risk quarantine and treatment centre, bed occupancy at Mara Centre of Excellence in Jawi is at 17% while the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang centre here has been put on standby and will be activated when needed.
On October 18, Penang began administering Covid-19 booster shots to frontliners and this would later be extended to the elderly and those with comorbidities. – Bernama, November 19, 2021
