The number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore is increasing at an alarming rate. The government had to once again remind citizens to follow all social distancing protocols and guidelines. However, with the new strain of the coronavirus attacking children, the situation is all the more concerning.
Now, in order to protect your family from Covid-19, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Director - Professor David Lye says that families should start living in a single social bubble.
Prof Lye suggests that we need to do beyond what the government dictates. This includes staying home, avoiding crowded places and big groups.
He also states that people need to form their own social bubble comprising members they will socialise with on a regular basis.
What Is A Single Social Bubble?
In a WhatsApp text that’s been circulating and verified, Prof Lye says, "For many, this is your immediate family.”
This includes your immediate family members and people that you are most likely to interact with on a day-to-day basis. This is likely to include your children, parents, uncles and aunts, and the house help.
Prof Lye suggests that building a single social bubble comprising only these people will restrict your interactions temporarily.
And that gives you a better opportunity to safeguard your family against the coronavirus.
Social Protocols To Follow During The Covid-19 Pandemic
The NCID Director is also a senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's (TTSH) Department of Infectious Diseases. He states that people should wear a mask over their mouth and nose even when walking in parks.
He also told The Straits Times that more people should get vaccinated, following the recent outbreak at TTSH that showed more old people are vulnerable to the infection.
Prof Lye notes that the previous year saw a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases after a huge outbreak in dormitories among migrant workers. The massive circuit breaker lockdowns helped curb the number of cases last year. But it also hit the resource bank gravely.
Prof Lye says the cases reported this year have little to no linkage to the community from the outbreak at Changi Airport. About 40 to 50 percent of the current cases of infection show no symptoms.
Whereas about 10 percent of cases can get sick enough to require oxygen.
He concludes by saying, "This is serious. If you want to keep your family safe, you need to listen and do the above. If a country is overwhelmed like India, many will die including children and young people, and sick people cannot get a bed and dead bodies can't get cremated or buried. My colleague(s) and I don't want to see you in NCID or any of the hospitals."
Rising Covid-19 Cases In Singapore
The Ministry of Health (MOH) released a health bulletin on May 17, 2021, confirming 28 new cases of Covid-19 infection on the island. This includes 21 locally transmitted cases and eight imported cases. Out of the total cases, 10 cases for links to previous cases, and 11 are currently unlinked.
Meanwhile, seven imported cases have been reported as well. These patients were already placed on Stay-Home notice upon arrival in Singapore. Among those returning, two are Singapore Permanent Residents.
Six of the infected patients quarantined earlier, the MOH further said in its statement. The ministry further states that all the cases are within the community. No new cases have been reported in the dormitories.
Covid-19 Measures To Follow Between May 16 - June 13, 2021
With the spike in cases, the Multi-ministry Taskforce (MTF) on Covid-19 announced further restrictions in Singapore. These include:
- Social gatherings to be limited to a maximum of two people
- Dine-in stopped at cafes and restaurants
- Only takeaway and delivery options allowed
- Number of distinct visitors per household restricted to two per day
- Grandparents visiting their grandchildren on a daily basis will not be counted as distinct visitors per household
Source: The Straits Times
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