by AUFA MARDHIAH / Pic by TMR FILE PIX

THE Penang state government is expecting an increase in Covid-19 cases of the Omicron variant within a week through community spread. 

According to the Penang State Health Department, the reported cases in the state are Categories 1 and 2 with the number of hospital admissions still under control. 

The number of admissions at the Covid-19 Low Risk Quarantine & Treatment Centre (PKRC) is also under control despite there being an increase in cases. 

As of Feb 9, Penang recorded 21 active clusters with four cases involving the manufacturing sector, five workplace cases, 10 educational institution cases with one case involving a high-risk group and one case in a detention centre. 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (picture) urged Penangites to take booster shots and parents are advised to immediately register their children for the ongoing Covid-19 National Childhood Immunisation Programme (PICKids). 

Preparing for the Omicron wave, the Penang Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital have started the PICKids programme for comorbid children, while five PICKids vaccination centres for children are set to open in the five districts of the state. 

They will be at the Sungai Nibong Festival Site beginning Feb 12; the Sunshine Shopping Centre Hall, Bayan Baru; Sunshine Bertam Shopping Centre; Seberang Jaya Expo Site; and Cassia City MPKK Hall will be operating respectively from Feb 14. 

Chow also confirms that the meeting yesterday discussed some important points to deal with the wave of Omicron spread in Penang. 

“A private PKRC will be set up to accommodate and face the increase of cases that require quarantine outside home. 

“State authorities have also discussed the digital management of Covid-19 through the MySejahtera application; the operation of the Covid-19 Assessment Centre Call Centre Hotline to remain operational from 8am to 5pm daily and other hotlines or call centres to be on standby if required,” he said.