Penang's ICU beds for Covid-19 now all full

Intensive care unit (ICU) beds for Covid-19 cases at government hospitals in Penang are now full, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

"Overall, medical facilities in the state have hit over 70 percent occupancy for Covid-19 cases. Specifically, the usage of ICU beds for Covid-19 cases has reached 100 percent capacity," he said in a statement today.

He called on individuals with Covid-19 symptoms to either get treatment or undergo quarantine immediately.

"Let's not delay in seeking treatment as there were cases that ended up in serious condition - shortness of breath and ultimately died - as the patients sought treatment too late," Chow (above) said.

Penang recorded 1,682 new Covid-19 cases between May 2 and May 8, he said, adding that clusters in the state were linked to workplaces, education institutions, social activities, and economic activities.

"The state health department informed that the number of active cases has hit above 1,000 which requires monitoring and active management by the hospitals and district health departments.

"The situation is worrying and we don't want what happened in India to happen in our country," he said.

Yesterday, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah warned that the country would soon run out of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients.

Nationwide, 19 public hospitals have more than 70 percent of their Covid-19 ICU beds filled. Four hospitals in the Klang Valley are already operating beyond capacity. - Mkini