VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

photo : CNA

The Singapore Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong on Tuesday reported 157 new COVID-19 infections, including 20 cases in the community. This brings the total number of cases in Singapore to 45,140. A "deeper investigation" found that more than half of the community cases since the start of Phase 1 are linked, with the majority detected through contact tracing. Most had already been in quarantine. Of the unlinked cases, the majority were asymptomatic and detected via proactive screening of workers or regular testing of workers as part of Minister of Health's surveillance.

"What's of greater concern to us are the numbers of symptomatic, unlinked cases that are detected in the community, through routine screening for acute respiratory infection or what we call ARIs. These are cases that emerge in the community with no clear connection to any existing cluster, dormitories or construction sector. They reflect cases of unknown sources of infection. If this number goes up significantly, we should be very careful as it may signal an increase in the underlying community transmission" Minister Gan explain

Minister Gan Kim Yong added that in order to detect such cases, community testing was expanded to all individuals of aged 13 and above, who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection at first presentation to a doctor.

On similar event, Singapore Minister for National Development, Lawrence Wong stressed that the "vast majority" of linked cases originate from household transmissions and some infections taking place in workplaces.

"That's one area where all of us can do our part to reduce the risk of transmission further. Businesses, companies, employers all have to step up their safe management practises at work in order to further reduce the risk of transmission at workplaces. Making sure that the majority of their employees continue to work from home is one precaution that every employer should continue to take" The minister said. 

Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized that for those who are required to be in the office, measures such as split teams, making sure they do not gather for social activities, are important precautions that every employer should continue to upheld. Unlike pre-circuit breakers, very few cases are related in the community caused by social interaction. This is because of "strict restrictions" on social activities. However, these regulations cannot always be enforced//NK/CNA