BUTTERWORTH: Factories here have dived throat-first into the on-site polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing using the Deep Throat Saliva method.
The move to allow mass screening of manufacturing sector workers in Penang using the Deep Throat Saliva method is to help contain Covid-19 cases before new clusters form in the sector.
Menara Kerjaya Fastening Sdn Bhd general manager Sim Saw Beng said all 111 of his workers, including himself, will be tested at his factory.
His is the fifth factory in the state to test workers since the initiative started on Saturday (May 22).
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said there are 400,000 factory workers in the state.
Thursday, 20 May 2021 02:30 PM MYT
BY OPALYN MOK
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow speaks at a press conference in George Town May 3, 2021. Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
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GEORGE TOWN, May 20 Mass Covid-19 testing for the manufacturing sector in Penang using the on-site pooled saliva RT-PCR screening method will start next week.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the mass testing will be implemented under the ‘Penang S.A.F.E’ programme, a collaborative effort between the state government and the Penang branch of the Federation of Manufacturers Malaysia (FMM).
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has approved the use of “deep throat saliva” as test samples for the diagnosis of Covid-19.
This may come as good news to members of the public who are not comfortable with the current swab test method – where samples are taken by inserting a swab into the upper reaches of the nasal passage or to the back of the throat.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said many countries had been using deep throat saliva samples for Covid-19 testing, adding it was “cheaper and consistent”.
“The deep throat saliva sampling method is safe and not invasive compared to nasopharyngeal (back of the nose) or oropharyngeal (back of the throat) swabs.
FCM Travel Solutions launches new digital health programme
DUBAI, February 1, 2021 FCM Travel Solutions, one of the largest travel management companies in the world, has partnered with Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres to provide customers access to discounted rates for PCR/Serology tests and Nasal Swab/Deep Throat Saliva tests. The new service, available at the Medcare Hospital Al Safa Dubai, comes at a time when Emirates and Etihad Airlines announce a partnership with IATA to trial the IATA Travel Pass in the region. Passengers can create a ‘digital passport’ to verify if their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination. They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel. Similar to an FCM initiative launched in Asia recently, FCM sees this as a next step once the trial period is over, which will also enable travellers to manage all travel documentation digitally an