GEORGE TOWN, Aug 30 — Penang is expecting a drop in COVID-19 cases by the third week of September when 100 per cent of the adult population in the state receive at least one dose of vaccine.
Penang State Health Department (Public Health) deputy director Dr Rafidah Md Noor said that as of yesterday, 54 per cent of individuals aged 18 and above have been fully vaccinated (received two doses) while 82 per cent have received one dose.
The Health Department is targeting 80 per cent of Penangites will complete their vaccination shots by the end of October 2021.
“With the increased vaccinations, cases are expected to drop,” she told a media conference with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow here today.
State secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar; state Health Ccommittee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin; Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain; Penang Hospital Emergency and Trauma Department chief, Dr Kwanhathai Darin Wong; and Penang National Security Council director Nazrul Fazami Mohamad were also present.
Meanwhile, Chow said that till yesterday, the total COVID-19 cases in the state was 82,979 and the rise in cases in the past two weeks had indirectly placed a lot of stress on the public healthcare system in the state.
“Therefore, the state government hopes that the federal government will expedite the distribution of manpower, medical and immunisation resources in Penang to help us overcome these challenges,” he said.
