Over the past week, there has been an increase in the number of local cases, with 13 COVID-19 cases identified at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has worked with TTSH to implement strict containment measures, and will also be tightening safe management measures in the wider community to reduce the risk of transmission within the community.
Tighter measures to ringfence community cluster at TTSH
TTSH has since taken immediate measures to lockdown the affected wards.
- All close contacts of the cases have been placed on quarantine.
- All TTSH staff and patients who were in the affected area (Main Block Levels 3 to 13) from 18 to 28 April are undergoing testing.
- Increased clinical surveillance of all patients who may develop fever and ARI (acute respiratory infection) symptoms.
To reduce spread from undetected cases, all public places visited by cases during their likely infectious period will be closed for 2 days for cleaning, and to facilitate the testing of staff. Click here for the full list of public places.
For those who have visited these public places or been to TTSH from 18 April onwards, the Ministry of Health is offering tests to mitigate the potential risk of community spread.
From 3 to 16 May, these individuals may book an appointment for a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at any of the “Swab and Send Home” (SASH) PHPCs, or walk in to one of the following four Regional Screening Centres (RSCs):
- Former Da Qiao Primary School
- Former Shuqun Secondary School
- Former Coral Primary School
- Former Bishan Park Secondary School
The cost of these tests will be fully borne by the Government, and all these individuals are encouraged to get tested.
Remaining Vigilant in the Fight Against COVID-19
To reduce the level of interactions in the community and break the chains of transmission, the following measures will be implemented:
From 1 to 14 May
- Reduced occupancy limit for malls and large standalone stalls to 1 person per 10 sqm of Gross Floor Area (GFA), from 1 person per 8 sqm of GFA
- Odd and even entry restrictions on Sundays for popular malls (Lucky Plaza, Peninsula Plaza) will be reinstated
- Outdoor BBQ pits and campsites will be closed to the public
From 7 to 14 May
- All attractions to operate at 50% operating capacity, a reduction from 65%.
It is crucial that we remain vigilant to avoid a resurgence of community cases. Everyone should:
- Avoid going to crowded places, and stay home where possible
- Limit social gatherings to 2 per day, whether to another household or in a public place
- Keep groups as small as possible
- Stick to a regular group of contacts
- Stay home when unwell, and see a doctor to get tested when sick and be vaccinated when it is offered to you
At the workplace, employers should allow employees to work from home if they are able to. They should continue to stagger start times of employees who need to return, and implement flexible working hours. Social gatherings at the office should also be avoided.
The recent community cases are a reminder that the risks of a COVID-19 outbreak remains high. Even as we press ahead with vaccination, we must remain vigilant to avoid a resurgence of cases.
For more information, click here for MOH's press release.
