Making booster jabs accessible

Penang has 73 private clinics and hospitals as well as one health care organisation (HCO) centre administering the booster doses. — Filepic

THERE are 73 private clinics and hospitals as well as one health care organisation (HCO) centre administering booster shots in Penang, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the state Health Department was also currently in the process of identifying several more venues for HCOs to operate at appropriate halls.

At present, there is only one HCO centre at Sunshine Square banquet hall on Level 4, Bayan Baru.

A HCO centre is a large hall with the capacity to administer more than 1,000 injections per day.

“We need to further increase public awareness of receiving the booster shots as out of the number of appointments given through the MySejahtera application, only 60% to 70% turn up for their jabs.

“There has been a downward trend in the Covid-19 infection rate in Penang since the highest number of of 2,474 daily cases was reported on September 8 during epic week 36.

“For epic week 46 this week, the daily Covid-19 range is between 220 and 327 cases.

“As of Thursday, a total of 327 new cases were reported to the state Health Department’s Crisis Preparedness and Rapid Response Centre (CPRC), bringing the cumulative number of positive Covid-19 cases in Penang to 149,707 cases,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Chow added that in epic week 46, there were three new clusters from the manufacturing sector.

“To date, there are nine active clusters – three from the manufacturing sector, two from workplaces, one from an educational institution and three more from high-risk groups.

“The state government and state Health Department always take precautionary measures and monitor closely to prevent a chain of infection.

“In terms of medical facilities, as of Thursday, the total bed use for acute Covid-19 patients is 37% at Penang Hospital and 34% at Kepala Batas Hospital.

“The use of beds in the intensive care units in the state is 53% and there is sufficient equipment to face any eventuality.

“As for the Covid-19 low risk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC), the total bed usage at the Mara Excellence Centre in Jawi is 17% while Caring Society Complex in George Town is placed on standby and will be activated when needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chow encouraged the public to always practise Test, Report, Inform, Isolate, Seek (TRIIS) and immediately take a screening test either on their own or at a nearby health facility if they are experiencing symptoms like flu, fever and cough for early transmission control.

“The transmission of Covid-19 infection still occurs in the community.

“All parties, especially those who tested positive and are observing the Home Surveillance Order instruction through the MySejahtera application, are urged to follow the instructions issued, even if they are not wearing the ‘pink’ bracelet,” he added.