Penang Hospital's Outpatient Dept being used as initial treatment ward for Covid-19 as cases rise

GEORGE TOWN: The Outpatient Department of Penang Hospital has to be converted into an observation and initial treatment ward for Covid-19 patients following a sudden increase in Covid-19 patients to the Emergency and Trauma Department and admission to the hospital wards.

The state Health Department said with the temporary closure, health clinics in the north-east district have been prepared to receive outpatients with the assistance of the medical officers of the hospital's Outpatient Department.

"Penang Hospital will provide a special counter to help prepare referral letters according to the date of regular patient appointments of the department.

"The counter will be opened at the Health Education Resource Centre on the first floor of the ambulatory care centre," said a statement posted on the state Health Department's Facebook page.

Members of the public can contact 04-222 5778 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) for any inquiries and to help patients make appointments.

The statement further said triage counters would be opened for further screening and referrals for walk-in patients.

The hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department, other specialist clinics, pharmacy services, radiology services and laboratories continue to open as usual.