THE Penang government has requested the Federal Government to impose an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at the Penang Remand Prison and the state Prison quarters following the detection of a record 141 new Covid-19 cases today.
The new cases have brought the total tally at the prison to 159 active cases, including a death case recently.
Upon receiving updates from the state Health Department, state National Security Council (NSC) and other related parties, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow chaired a State Security Council (SSC) special meeting to discuss important precautionary measures to address the big number of cases recorded today.
“The Penang government is proposing to the Federal Government to implement enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at the Penang Remand Prison and the state Prison quarters.
“All active cases under the prison cluster are focused only among the prisoners.
“All the prisoners and state Prison Department staff members had already undergone health screening. In fact, the second screening has started today,” Chow said during a press conference in Komtar today.
Chow also said that if EMCO was to be implemented, some 2,800 individuals, which include prisoners, staff and family members, would be affected.
“We hope the Federal Government would consider this proposal as it is important to contain the further spread of the infection after seeing the state record such a high number today.
“I hope all the people of Penang will continue to stay calm and pray as we face this challenge,” Chow added.
State Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib said a low-risk Covid centre had been set up at the prison to cater to cases below Stage 3, while cases of Stage 3 and above, would be sent to the Penang Hospital for necessary treatment.
“We have a mobilised way of treating patients in the prison, whereby a few medical practitioners would be placed in the premises to provide the necessary treatment.
“For Stage 3 and above patients, they would be sent to the hospital with immediate effect,” Dr Asmayani told a press conference.
She added that although Penang Hospital has sufficient medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other facilities, it has requested other hospitals to come forward and help during these critical times.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, state Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar and state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting