If there were a Hello Kitty Appreciation Club and you happened to be a member of it, you’d probably want to keep it a secret, despite how much you enjoyed the meetings.
What would my friends think if they knew that’s where I spend my Friday nights?
But what would you do if the authorities discovered several cases of COVID-19 infection in the club and urged other members to come forward for a free COVID-19 test?
Embarrassed about being associated with the club, you might be a little hesitant to do so.
Well, this is exactly what’s happening with KTV lounges across the country now, though the nature of interactions there are slightly different.
Experts Say KTV Cluster Will Grow & COVID-19 Cases Will Remain Undetected
This is why experts believe the KTV cluster will continue to grow, and cases of infection in such settings may remain undetected.
Yesterday, 42 more COVID-19 infections were linked to the cluster, bringing its total tally to 54.
As Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS told local media: “Contact tracing is much harder in such settings as patrons will be unwilling to come forward to admit they have been to such locations, even if it is purportedly for meals.”
“The alleged hostesses are also unlikely to volunteer information about the people they have been in contact with.”
So, why are people so embarrassed about these visits?
Well, in some of these lounges, women, known as hostesses, move from one table to another, to mingle and even flirt with the patrons in exchange for tips.
Some hostesses also reportedly provide sexual services for extra cash.
Since hostesses move from table to table, and even between multiple nightclubs if their usual haunt has few customers, it would be easy for them to unknowingly spread the coronavirus.
And the people who visited these outlets, some of whom may be married men, may be too embarrassed to come forward for a free test, for fear of their family finding out.
For this reason, Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist, believes that the KTV cluster could be a weak link in Singapore’s fight against COVID-19, since both patrons and hostesses may be trying to lie low.
This is especially true for those who are working here illegally or are overstaying, and married men.
What’s more, some of those who are working here illegally may not be vaccinated yet, leaving them and those around them vulnerable to the disease.
Confidential Testing For Those Who Visited KTV Lounges or Interacted With Hostesses
Fortunately, Health Ministry Ong Ye Kung announced yesterday (14 July) that the testing process for those who have visited KTV lounges or interacted with hostesses will be confidential.
He reminded these visitors to book appointments at screening centres to protect both themselves and their loved ones, assuring them that their privacy is protected.
Those who are uncomfortable coming forward for a test, should “at the very least” isolate themselves and get their family members to buy them antigen rapid tests (ARTs), he said.
They should also monitor their health for the next 14 days and minimise social interactions. And if they feel unwell, they should seek medical attention right away.
Featured Image: Facebook (Supreme KTV)
