State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo is confident that the Penang Covid-19 mass screening (PSC-19) will hit its target of screening 40,000 individuals very soon.
He said as of yesterday (Aug 13), a total of 30,749 individuals were screened in various locations in the state.
“This is part and parcel of the state government’s contribution for the people in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am very happy to witness the positive response so far and it is hoped more people will come forward and get themselves screened,” he said after visiting the PSC-19 at the Taman Free School field in Datuk Keramat today.
According to Jagdeep, the PSC-19 in Datuk Keramat is the 37th location.
He was accompanied by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and Penang State Secretariat office head of local government division Nur Aishah Md Norodin.
Later, he visited the 38th location at SMK Convent Pulau Tikus. Among those present there were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai and Pulau Tilkus assemblyman Chris Lee.
While he visited the school to monitor the operations, Jagdeep also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the need to vaccinate children below 12.
“While the Ministry of Education had previously announced that schools would reopen in September, it is equally important for them to know that without being vaccinated, it is unsafe to send kids to school.
“I urge the ministry to review this important matter. Let all our children be protected when they return to school.
“Either vaccinate them or don’t open the schools. Don’t expose them to the dangerous virus that is currently spreading faster than ever,” he added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian