GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has been urged to take immediate measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 and rising death toll in the state.

       Former chief minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih) said Penang has deteriorated from being a green zone and among the best-performing states in the country to now seeing a rise in cases and deaths.

       "The number of infections is almost 90,000 (88,253 as at noon on Sept 1).

       "Data shows that this year, up to Aug 11, a total of 258 Covid-19 deaths have been confirmed (in Penang) by the Health Ministry.

       "Up to Aug 26, there have been 469 deaths. This means within 15 days from Aug 11 to Aug 26, there were 211 deaths," he added, while urging the state to study the figures and take the necessary steps on its own without waiting for prompting from the Federal Government.

       He said the state government needs to study why cases are on the rise and take quick action.