Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today told a press conference that the daily Covid-19 cases in Penang are on a downward trend lately compared to previous months, where cases were hitting more than three digits daily.
He said this following a question by a reporter regarding the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in China as reported in the news recently.
Chow was also asked if Penang would introduce any precautionary measures to curb the possibility of a sudden surge here amid the current spike in China.
“It is up to the Federal Government, particularly the Health Ministry, if there is a need to impose health measures.
“On average, the state currently records around 40 to 50 new daily cases. Comparatively, we are on the downward trend compared to the numbers we were seeing previously.
“Although there are no official announcements made daily, the state receives daily reports from the state Health Department,” Chow said in a brief press conference at G Hotel Gurney in George Town today.
Chow was there earlier to witness the signing of a protocol of medical tourism collaboration between the Penang Centre of Medical Tourism and PT Citilink Indonesia.
On another matter, when asked by a reporter if ferry services will be re-introduced to accommodate and reduce traffic congestion on the roads, Chow said the Penang Port Commission will be holding a briefing session with the Transport Ministry very soon to discuss this matter.
Meanwhile, Chow also added that Penang Pakatan Harapan will be expected to hold a meeting soon to discuss the possibility of a PH-BN coalition ahead of the state election this year.
According to a news report by an English daily recently, national DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng had mentioned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to chair a PH meeting before the Chinese New Year to discuss preparations for the Penang state election.
Among the issues expected to be discussed are the cooperation of a unity government at the Federal and state levels, seat negotiation and the selection of candidates.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis