GEORGE TOWN: The usage of Intensive care unit (ICU) beds at Covid-19 hospitals in Penang is nearing 100 per cent due to the sharp increase in positive cases state-wide in recent weeks.
The state has been seeing daily positive Covid-19 cases of more than 600 to over 700 the past week.
Yesterday alone, Penang saw a record 867 positive Covid-19 cases, the highest since the pandemic first struck in March last year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, with Covid-19 cases expected to escalate further in the coming weeks, the situation would further increase the pressure and burden on the state's ICU bed usage.
"As such, the state is urging the Health Ministry to assist the Health Department in rearranging the state's healthcare facilities to meet the rising Covid-19 cases. In fact, the state Health Department director will table a plan for the said purpose today.
"We used to record daily positive Covid-19 cases of between 100 cases and 200 in the past. Now, we are seeing 600 to 800 cases, and this is increasing the pressure and burden on our healthcare facilities.
"Because of that, hospitals in the state need to modify existing spaces to treat Covid-19 cases, and we will assist the Health Ministry in whatever way possible," he said during a visit to the 26th edition of the state-owned Penang Covid-19 Screening (PSC-19) or targeted Covid-19 mass screening in Komtar here today.
Present were state Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, state police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain and northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong.
It was reported that the outpatient department at the Penang Hospital here had been temporarily transformed into an observation and early treatment ward for Covid-19 patients following the sharp increase in infections in the state in recent weeks.
Last month, the Bukit Mertajam Hospital was converted into a Hybrid Covid-19 Hospital in view of the rising number of cases.
According to Chow, Penang currently has more than 40 active Covid-19 clusters, with the majority involving workplace clusters.
"Penang also recorded the first case of the Delta variant recently and health authorities may need time to determine the Covid-19 variants in the state.
"If we are able to pinpoint the variants fast, then we can take immediate actions to stop the spread," he added.
Chow also expressed hope that Penang would receive news on Covid-19 vaccine supply to the state soon, to accelerate the ongoing vaccination process.
He added that Penang received 700,000 doses of the vaccines last month.
"This month, however, we have been told by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) that the Minister needed time to relook at the vaccine supply for states in the coming weeks.
"We hope the vaccine supply can be immediately distributed to the states fast to not affect the smooth running of the ongoing immunisation programme," he added.