In the early part of 2021, press conferences by the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force were rare, and some of us didn’t even pay attention to the announcements.
But now, we trembled when a press conference was called and wondered how many more restrictions would be imposed.
What’s most interesting about today’s press conference is that one of the ministers, Minister Gan Kim Yong, appeared in a TV screen instead of with his comrades. It’s because he’s been issued a Health Alert Warning “following close contact with a positive Covid-19 case and is minimising social interactions until his HRW ends on Oct 4.”
Also, it could be the first time that we see Lawrence Wong wearing black.
So, did Lawrence Wong and gang caused more hawkers and businessmen to cry today?
Here’s what you should know.
Mostly About Border Control
Fret not; the press conference called today is primarily announcements about new border measures, and not about any new restrictions.
So if you can skip this article and continue Netflix-ing if all you care are about restrictions
5,000 Daily Cases Expected in Mid-October
Daily case numbers have continued to rise, and at the current trajectory, we may cross 3,200 daily cases soon, and may even start to see 5,000 cases daily around mid-October.
However, the vast majority are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, and are suitable for home recovery. The percentage of patients who require ICU care remains low, at about 0.2%. However, with higher cases, this can translate to a larger absolute number. Currently 34 ICU beds are occupied and the number is expected to rise.
Seniors to Avoid Crowded Places
The proportion of fully vaccinated cases who needed intensive care or passed away is about 14 times less than that for the unvaccinated (0.12% compared to 1.67%).
MOH is most concerned for the elderly, and in particular those who are unvaccinated. Older persons are at higher risk of severe illness, and most of them tend to have co-morbidities, which then increases the risk further.
The proportion of cases who are seniors aged 60 and above has remained stable at about 27% to 32% in the past 28 days.
The authorities therefore urge all seniors, especially the minority of unvaccinated seniors, to take extra precautions and avoid crowded places during this period.
So, with more cases expected, are the authorities prepared?
Yes.
Healthcare Capacity Actively Being Expanded
Last year, during the Circuit Breaker, lots of beds were prepared lest there was a surge of cases, and indeed the surge came due to the migrant worker clusters.
Now, Singapore is doing the same thing.
MOH is now actively standing up COVID-19 Treatment Facilities (CTFs). Over the past week, four CTFs with a capacity of 580 beds have been set up, and this will be increased to nine CTFs with an overall capacity of about 3,700 beds by the end of October.
The CTFs will be used to care for higher risk patients who needs close observation, but do not need hospital care. One example will be seniors with co-morbidities who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
Vaccinated Migrant Workers With No Symptoms Can Recover in Dorm’s Dedicated Facilities
In case you didn’t know, almost 1/3 of yesterday’s COVID-19 cases were residents from dormitories.
MOM will now take a different approach to tackle the dorm cases: regular testing of migrant workers here will shift away from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for asymptomatic individuals to more self-administered but supervised antigen rapid tests (ARTs), and fully vaccinated workers who test positive and have no symptoms will be allowed to isolate and recover in a dedicated facility within dormitories for up to 10 days—kind of like our Home Recovery Programme.
Booster Shots Might Be Offered to Frontline & Healthcare Workers
Seniors in Singapore are now offered booster shots, and it appears that another group would be joining them: the frontline and healthcare workers.
The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) has been deliberating on recommending booster vaccination for a few more population groups, such as healthcare workers, frontline workers and persons in other vulnerable settings. More details will be announced by EC19V when ready.
It appears that we’d have to get used to taking vaccines, but do you know that you should also take other vaccines? Watch this video to the end and you’d understand:
Isolation and Testing Guidelines to be Simplified Soon
Do you know the difference between Health Risk Warning and Health Risk Alert?
Do you know what to do if you’re tested positive while you self-test with an ART at home?
Do you know what is a SASH clinic?
I bet you won’t know unless you’ve followed Goody Feed’s TikTok channel whereby we simplify everything for you.
Well, the authorities agreed that it’s confusing, so they’re working on simplifying the guidelines.
Border Measures for Travellers’ Recent History Reduced to 14 Days
From 6 October 2021, 2359 hours, prevailing border measures for incoming travellers will be determined based on the travellers’ recent travel history in the last 14 days instead of the existing 21 days.
The SHN period for those who currently have to serve 14 days, will also be reduced to 10 days, in line with the shortening of quarantine period, which accounts for the shorter incubation period of the Delta variant.
Changes in Categories of Countries
Singapore employs a category system to determine if a traveller needs to serve SHN or not when he or she arrives in Singapore.
There will be a slight change in the categories, and this chart will take effect from 6 October 2021, 2359 hours:
Long-Term Pass Holders Would Need to be Fully Vaccinated
From 1 November 2021, all work pass holders and their dependants must be fully vaccinated before arrival in Singapore. MOM will also be resuming entry approvals for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs), and S Pass and work permit holders from the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors, entering Singapore from higher risk countries/regions, on the condition that they are fully vaccinated before arrival.
Pass holders approved for entry must be able to produce the documents to prove their full vaccination status, if requested by the airlines, ferry operators or at the checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore.
Also, all pass holders will also be subjected to the prevailing immigration entry requirements and health protocols in Singapore.
Read Also:
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- Everything About the COVID-19 Hotspot Map That You Need to Know
Featured Image: YouTube (CNA)
