CORONAVIRUS | Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state health department is monitoring those who attended a mass Hindu gathering in Teluk Bahang on March 8, before Covid-19 was announced as a pandemic.
Chow said the department will not hesitate to test those who had attended the event, which purportedly involved thousands of devotees.
Chow said the department will not hesitate to test those who had attended the event, which purportedly involved thousands of devotees.
"But so far, there has been no positive cases reported from the event," Chow said at a press conference today.
He was asked if devotees who attended the massive gathering had been tested for Covid-19.
A large-scale religious gathering in Seri Petaling had led to a cluster of Covid-19 cases, with several related to the event dying after being tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, the Hindu religious event, known as the Masi Magam Theppa Thirunal (Floating Chariot Festival) at the 123-year-old Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple, on March 8 reportedly involved some 30,000 devotees at a beach in Teluk Bahang.
However, Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairperson P Ramasamy disputed the figures, saying it was an "exaggeration".
"I believe the number of 30,000 devotees as reported is also exaggerated," said Ramasamy, who is also deputy chief minister I.
He also said the temple in Teluk Bahang was not under the purview of the PHEB, adding that all temples under PHEB were issued strict instructions to suspend or postpone their events.
As of 5pm yesterday, Malaysia had 1,518 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection and 159 people have been discharged.
Of the 15 deaths attributed to Covid-19, nine belong to what is now known as the Sri Petaling cluster.
In Penang, there are 66 positive cases of Covid-19 for the same corresponding period with the following breakdown; Northeast District (19), Southwest District (7), North Seberang Perai District (9), Central Seberang Perai District (22) and South Seberang Perai District (9).
"This increase in the number of cases is very disturbing and serious attention needs to be given," Chow said.
"Therefore, I am appealing to all the people of Penang to remain committed and to make sacrifices for the successful implementation of the movement control order," he added. - Mkini
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