GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has ordered its public healthcare authorities to double up their vigilance after the neighbouring Kedah town of Kulim recorded one of the largest clusters with 133 cases identified from a factory.
State exco for health Dr Norlela Ariffin said the state’s concerns will be conveyed to the health authorities, adding that her advice to the people here is to take their booster (third) vaccine shots, which are being actively dispensed in Penang.
“Go for the boosters and try not to be distracted by the unverified news out there. Maintain our strict discipline and (adhere to) the standard operating procedures (SOPs).”
Penang aims to have zero incidence of the virus after over 150,000 residents here were infected in nearly 24 months, while 1, 682 lost their lives to the fast transmitting virus.
Although fresh cases have dipped in Penang to 279 yesterday with four deaths recorded including one brought in dead, Norlela told The Vibes that what has happened in Kulim is a firm reminder that Covid-19 continues to threaten the public.
“Safeguards should remain the same, from avoiding crowded situations, masking up, maintaining physical distance, especially from strangers, and ensuring strong hygiene.”
She also urged the people to boost their immunity by adopting a healthy lifestyle, and for operators of commercial outlets to ensure that they maintain crowd control.
Although Penang made up just 214 out of the 3,347 positive cases hospitalised with 0.4% referred to the intensive care unit, the data from covidnow.moh.gov.my portal showed that there is a 122% increase in the number of deaths in the past 14 days.
Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society president Dr Parmjit Singh said that with the reopening of the economy, the people may at times be lull into a state of complacency.
“We need to keep our safeguards consistent, and we must be alert, especially with reports of a new variant (Omicron) emerging,” he said.
He encourages more testing and strict adherence to the SOPs to coexist with the virus.
Meanwhile in Kedah, its public health department director Dr Othman Warijo said that the cluster in Kulim is believed to be the biggest in the state in recent memory.
Although the majority of those positive only experienced mild symptoms, there is a need to be careful, said Othman.
A total of 133 individuals tested positive, where the factory has more than 2,000 employees comprising locals and foreigners.
“We are prepared for any outbreak, as we know the situation is under control and the infected are showing mild symptoms. There are also no new cases detected in the industrial zone.”
“Our only fear is the workers, who went home and mingled with the family members before knowing they were infected at the factory,” he said.
He praised the factory management for conducting Covid-19 screening that led to identifying the infected individuals at the factory.
Padang Serai MP M. Karuppaiah, when contacted, said he is working with the Health Department and the local authorities in relation to the industrial cluster.
“As assured by the Health Department, I believe the situation is under control and there is nothing to panic. However, we must strictly observe personal hygiene and follow the SOPs to prevent the disease from spreading,” he said.
Among the 133 infected, 97 are workers and 36 family members who are close contacts.
The infected reside at Kulim, Baling, Kuala Muda, and Sik. – The Vibes, December 11, 2021
Additional reporting by Arulldas Sinnappan
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