GEORGE TOWN: If the constant high number of Covid-19 infections and deaths in Penang is not enough to deter standard operating procedure breaches, perhaps a word from one of the state’s frontline leaders will.

       Hospital Penang infectious disease unit head Datuk Dr Chow Ting Soo, referring to the death curve and statistics, said Penang used to have the lowest pandemic death rate in the country.

       “However, we are now at the highest at almost 1%. (And) we are not yet reaching the peak,” she warned in a Facebook post.

       Besides hospitals not having enough intensive care unit (ICU) beds, she said there were also cases of people turning up too late for intervention.

       Dr Chow also said patients needed to get early treatment for better outcomes.

       She lamented how high-risk close contacts were missed out when there were positive cases in their homes.

       Dr Chow said close contacts should get tested immediately, adding that if they tested positive, they must monitor their symptoms and use a pulse oximeter at home.

       “The community spread is high. Test and get help if you are in a high-risk group,” she advised.

       Dr Chow urged people to play their part while the healthcare system realigned its focus on Covid-19 management by finding more beds, oxygen, ICU facilities, doctors and nurses.