GEORGE TOWN: More educational and safety awareness campaigns need to be introduced as Penang deals with what is likely to be a third wave of infections from the Covid-19 virus with six confirmed cases in the past week.
Besides the six cases, social media was inundated with claims that more than 50 nurses and doctors have been placed under home quarantine as one of the six cases received treatment at the Adventist Hospital here for a leg wound.
The hospital issued a statement that it will be closed over this weekend for sanitisation as an extra precaution after confirming the case, but there was no mention of the quarantine claim.
State executive councilor Phee Boon Poh (pix) said educational and awareness campaigns are more important than what is espoused in social media which tends to create fear rather than calm in dealing with the outbreak.
He said most of the cases in Penang were linked to the clusters sprouting up in neighbouring Kedah.
Over 50 cases have been detected in four clusters which have appeared in Kedah, which is now arguably the top red zone state in the country, erasing the green zone status that the northern region had enjoyed for the past three months.
The four Kedah clusters, are Sivagangga (Jitra in Kubang Pasu), Tawar (Baling), Kuala Muda (Sungai Petani) and now Sala (Yan).
The cases in Penang are four in Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and now it has reached the islanders in George Town and one in Tekuk Kumbar (Balik Pulau).
Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has restricted activities in Teluk Kumbar - from disallowing a weekend night market to dining in at restaurants and the temporary closure of barber shops as well as beauty salons.
Azrul urged the residents to obey the directive and remain calm in dealing with the latest round of Covid-19 as it is a global pandemic which would need time and more effort to contain.
Penang Private Medical Practitioners Society past-president Assoc Prof Dr Sivakumar S. Balakrishnan said awareness exists in society but what is lacking could be the consistency in staying vigilant.
He said the main impetus in fighting the virus is through vigilance such as physical distancing, wearing of surgical masks and personal hygiene.
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