Covid-19: Mandatory tests for residents at 2 HDB blocks in Ang Mo Kio, West Coast after 17 cases found

SINGAPORE — All residents of two public housing blocks — one in Ang Mo Kio and the other in West Coast — will have to be tested for Covid-19 after 17 cases were detected among them. 

In a statement on Saturday (July 31), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that it was investigating likely coronavirus transmission at Block 556 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and Block 510 West Coast Drive.

So far, seven cases have been detected in five households at Block 556 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

Another 10 infected cases were found in five households at Block 510 West Coast Drive.

“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to determine linkages and the source of transmission,” MOH said.

Testing is optional for those who have tested negative for Covid-19 from July 27, it added.

TESTING DETAILS

Residents of the two blocks will be tested on Sunday between 9am and 4pm.

For residents of Block 556 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, the tests will be done at the regional screening centre at 8 Ang Mo Kio Street 54, the site of the former Da Qiao Primary School.

Those living at Block 510 West Coast Drive will have to head to the pavilion beside their block to get tested.

Residents have been notified via phone text messages and leaflets, MOH said.

All residents must take along their identity cards and are reminded to keep to their appointments, it added.

The ministry advised residents to monitor their health closely and see a doctor immediately if they are unwell.

They should also minimise social interactions as far as possible while waiting for their test results.

9 CASES DETECTED THROUGH SURVEILLANCE TESTING

Over the past week, similar compulsory testing operations were announced for residents and workers at other public housing blocks in Ang Mo Kio, Clementi, Chua Chu Kang, Jurong and along Sims Avenue.

In a separate statement on Saturday, MOH said that it had concluded community surveillance testing at Block 456 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and Block 340 Clementi Avenue 5. Nine people tested positive.

At Block 456 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, seven people tested positive out of a total of 803 who were swabbed on Tuesday.

Those tested included residents and visitors, those who had interacted with residents of the block as well as owners and workers of commercial units there.

Over at Block 340 Clementi Avenue 5, two people tested positive.

They were among 409 people who were tested on Monday. The testing operation covered residents, visitors and those who had interacted with residents of the block.