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At least 60 more Covid-19 quick test centres to be set up in coming weeks: MOH

SINGAPORE — At least 60 more Covid-19 quick test centres, where people may make an appointment to do a self-administered antigen rapid test under supervision by trained personnel, will be set up by the Health Promotion Board or in partnerships with private providers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ministry of Health said that regular testing should become a way of life to adapt to the evolving Covid-19 situation. 

The Ministry of Health said that regular testing should become a way of life to adapt to the evolving Covid-19 situation. 

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  • The authorities will be setting up at least 60 more Covid-19 quick test centres, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday
  • These are where people may make an appointment to do a self-administered antigen rapid test under supervision by trained personnel
  • The ministry added that there will be contingency plans to ramp up healthcare capacity as the Omicron Covid-19 strain can spread fast 

SINGAPORE — At least 60 more Covid-19 quick test centres, where people may make an appointment to do a self-administered antigen rapid test (ART) under supervision by trained personnel, will be set up by the Health Promotion Board or in partnerships with private providers.

In a press release on Tuesday (Dec 14), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new centres have been set up to enhance its efforts in making testing more accessible.

It is working with general practitioners, mall operators and hotel groups, and the centres will be set up within the next few weeks at various sites across the island.

Each test will be priced at S$15 and can be used to fulfil workplace requirements under the rostered routine testing regime, for pre-event or pre-activity tests, or simply for anyone who wishes to get tested before attending a large-scale event.

“We will continue to work closely with the industry to grow the network of private quick test centres and would like to encourage interested eligible providers to come onboard this effort. 

“This will go a long way in fostering a culture of testing, which is important for early detection of cases and for keeping our communities safe,” the ministry said.

It added that regular testing should become a way of life to “adapt to the evolving Covid-19 situation”. 

On top of mandating regular testing at high-risk work settings, it encourages everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, to exercise social responsibility and self-test regularly with rapid test kits, especially when taking part in higher risk activities or attending large-scale events.

RAMPING UP HEALTHCARE CAPACITY AND TWEAKING HEALTHCARE PROTOCOL

MOH also said that there will be contingency plans to ramp up capacity in public hospitals and intensive care units if necessary, given that the Omicron coronavirus strain can spread fast. 

A surge in Omicron cases here could risk straining Singapore’s healthcare system once again, it cautioned.

To help manage the load in public hospitals, it is also prepared to raise capacity at Covid-19 treatment facilities, which are for stable patients who require some monitoring. 

As the majority of Covid-19 patients have mild symptoms and can safely recover at home, this protocol will likely continue for those infected with the Omicron strain.

“To further right-site care arrangements for these individuals who do not require acute care in hospitals, MOH will work with our Public Health Preparedness Clinics to better support these individuals in their recovery and help them return to their normal lives as soon as possible.” 

This would entail expanding the current Protocol 2 in January next year to cover mildly symptomatic and suitably fit Covid-19 patients who can recover well at home.

Protocol 2 refers to the management protocol for those who are feel well but have tested positive for Covid-19, while Protocol 1 is for individuals who are feeling unwell.

Today, patients with no symptoms who test positive are to self-isolate at home for the next 72 hours. After 72 hours, they can re-test using an ART kit. If they test negative, they may resume their normal activities.

If they become unwell at any time, however, they should see a doctor.

The ministry said that more details will be released at a later date.

Speaking at a press conference by the national taskforce on Covid-19 on Tuesday, Health Minister Ong noted that general practitioners (GPs) currently play a “big and vital” role in the Home Recovery Programme.

GPs administer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for patients who feel unwell and are also the ones who trigger the onboarding process for patients to be part of the programme.

However, many GPs have also been family physicians for their patients for many years and have a strong interest to continue to care for their Covid-19 patients, Mr Ong noted.

“MOH supports this. Because maintaining that long-term doctor patient relationship is actually the essence of primary care. We are therefore thinking through how to have our GPS play an even bigger role. especially if we ever have a big Omicron wave,” he added.

So instead of GPs only prescribing a PCR test to someone who feels unwell, the authorities can “further empower” them so that they can assess the risk profile and order either a PCR or an ART.

Thus, for very mild or asymptomatic cases, a GP may just order an ART test, and if the patient tests positive, he may be placed on a few days of medical leave to rest at home and will be allowed to come out once he tests negative on a subsequent ART.

This will mean GPs would then be able to trigger not just Protocol 1 but also Protocol 2, and to care for their patients who are resting at home.

“So even within the more formal home recovery programme system, there is scope for the GPs to be providing follow up care instead of centralised coordinated care administered by MOH,” said Mr Ong.

Related topics

Covid-19 coronavirus MOH Omicron quick test centres Covid-19 testing antigen rapid test

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