THE state government will expedite the Penang Covid-19 screening (PSC-19) programme under phase two to selected state constituencies beginning this Friday until Aug 6.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the programme would be expanded to the ‘hot spots’ and constituencies that have yet to reach the 1,000 screenings target.
He said the first phase of free targeted mass screening programme, which started on July 5 and was carried out on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, would now be held on a daily basis in order to speed up the process of screening.
He said the free programme has been gaining momentum as many people have come forward to register themselves.
“Since the programme took place, a total of 13,309 individuals from the selected state constituencies in Penang had already registered themselves.
“Of the total, 11,330 individuals were screened of which 10,929 individuals or 96.46% were found to be negative while 401 individuals or 3.53% were positive.
“Those tested positive were instructed to undergo the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, of which 201 individuals were confirmed to be positive. They then have to undergo quarantine either at the Covid-19 low-risk quarantine and treatment centre (LRCC) or at their homes.
“Besides that, a total of 166 RT-PCR screening tests involving Bandar Putra Bertam multi-purpose hall and Batu Kawan Stadium have yet to get their results.
“From what I can see, this programme is a success for us,” he said after visiting the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) office in Jalan Betek, Bukit Mertajam today.
The MBSP office had been closed since July 23 after Covid-19 cases were detected.
The sanitisation and cleaning efforts had been carried out ever since the premises was closed.
Jagdeep, nevertheless, also called everyone to register for the PSC-19 as it was an effort to stem the spread of Covid-19 infection, apart from adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and getting vaccinated.
On a separate matter, MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, who was present, urged the council staff to swiftly register themselves for vaccines if they have yet to do so.
“It’s important for us to be vaccinated to break the chain of infection,” he said.
The following is a list of the state constituencies that are involved in the phase two of PSC-19 :
July 30
Bukit Tengah / Padang Lang
MBSP Stadium, Jalan Betek
July 30
Pulau Betong
Dewan Balora, SK Kongsi, Jalan Balik Pulau
July 31
Sungai Bakap
Dewan Chong Kuang, Jalan Besar Sungai Bakap
July 31
Telok Bahang
Balai Rakyat Telok Bahang
Aug 1
Jawi / Sungai Acheh
Gelanggang Bola Keranjang, Jalan Bukit 1, Nibong Tebal
Aug 1
Batu Maung
Dewan Serbaguna Permatang Samar Laut
Aug 2
Sungai Puyu
Dewan Terbuka MPKK Taman Lucky
Aug 3
Bagan Dalam
Flat Bagan Dalam parking lots
Aug 4
Teluk Air Tawar
Dewan Taman Air Tawar Indah
Aug 5
Komtar
Komtar compound (In front of Kak Ija & Jeff restaurant)
Aug 6
Pantai Jerejak
Dewan MPKK Sungai Nibong Besar
Those interested to undergo screening can register at https://penangsaring.selangkah.my or through respective service centres.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud