Just as Singapore was trying to get back to normalcy, COVID-19 cases on the island started to rise. The Ministry of Health (MOH) on September 16 reported 910 new cases, which is the highest daily recorded since May 1, 2020.
In response to the sudden outbreak in cases, the government has paused the reopening plans and has reimposed some COVID-19 restrictions in Singapore.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new health protocols that have been explained succinctly by Health Minister, Mr Ong Ye Kung on Facebook.
Covid-19 Restrictions Singapore Has Reimposed Amid Rising Cases
New clusters are emerging, including the one at Blue Stars Dormitory, which has a total of 53 cases. The health ministry has recently banned social gatherings at workplaces in response to clusters that have been detected in staff canteens.
The Health Ministry further informed that there is intra-dormitory transmission among the residents. Therefore, all the residents are being tested.
The cluster connected to the Chinatown Complex now stands at 242 cases. Similarly, the DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Centre cluster has increased to 83 infections.
Seniors To Receive Booster Shots
Image courtesy: Ong Kung
Mr Ong announced that around 140,000 senior citizens have already been invited to schedule appointments for their COVID-19 booster shots.
This is in response to his earlier statement where he said that booster shots would be necessary for seniors aged 60 and above to boost their immunity.
When can seniors get their booster shots?
Seniors will be able to receive their
booster shots at the vaccination centres, Public Health Preparedness Clinics or polyclinics from September 14.
Those seniors residing in nursing homes can receive their booster shots from September 15.
How To Book Slots For Booster Shots?
You can book slots through an SMS. It will be sent to you by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which will be sent out over the next few days.
Immobile seniors
Image courtesy: Mr Ong Kung
There are mobile and home vaccination teams who will visit homes to give the vaccine and booster shots, in case the senior citizen is immobile.
Home Recovery To Be The Default For Majority Of Vaccinated People Who Get COVID
Image courtesy: Mr Ong Kung
MOH announced that they will be shifting the default mode of recovery of some patients who have tested positive in a new care model.
For fully vaccinated people who are between the age of 12 to 50 and have contracted the virus, but have no or mild symptoms, and do not live with vulnerable people, they can recover at home. The Minister wrote that home recovery will thus be the default mode starting from September 15.
He further said that since 98% of the people have no symptoms, for them home recovery will be a suitable option.
Keeping in mind the rising cases, he suggested that it is best that the hospital beds are reserved for those, who need them the most and everyone gets cared for.
10 Steps To Follow When You Test Positive For COVID-19
Image courtesy: MOH
Image courtesy: MOH
E Quarantine order
The household members of the confirmed cases will have to get themselves registered as close contacts so that they can get the e-Quarantine order.
Mr Ong further said that if you are living near someone who is quarantining or recovering from coronavirus at home, please give your full support to them.
Two New Community Care Facilities
By the end of September 2021, there will be two new community care facilities set up.
They will be able to hold a total capacity of 1,000 beds. More than 300 to 1,300 isolation beds will be added to the capacity for Covid-cases residing in hospitals and National Centre for Infectious Diseases.
But he stressed that citizens should first try to approach general practitioners and polyclinics for less urgent medical problems. They will be able to assist the emergency departments and help to prioritise the more severe cases.
MOH informed that 82 per cent of Singapore’s population have completed their two jabs as of Wednesday, while 84 per cent are also yet to receive one dose.
Mr Ong further advised seniors to refrain from going out excessively and attending social gatherings, regardless of their vaccination status.
The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) mentioned that those who need to go out for essential work, need to mask up all the time and also follow good hygiene habits, such as frequent washing of hands.
The agency urged seniors to get their jabs as soon as possible as the risk of severe outcomes from the disease if unvaccinated is “six times higher.”
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