New Covid-19 cases at CGH not linked to previous cluster; hospital says operations continue as normal

SINGAPORE — The new cases of Covid-19 at Changi General Hospital (CGH) are not linked to the previous cluster there that closed last week, the hospital said.

Hospital operations continue as normal and patients may carry on with their outpatient appointments, CGH said in a Facebook post early on Wednesday (Aug 4).

The hospital in Simei said that it detected three Covid-19 cases in a ward through proactive and regular testing operations.

“These cases are not linked to the previous CGH cluster, which was officially closed by the Ministry of Health on July 31,” it said.

On Tuesday night, the Ministry of Health reported eight new coronavirus clusters, including one at CGH with three cases. 

The earlier CGH cluster was first reported on June 25, after a 35-year-old porter who worked there tested positive for Covid-19. 

It had a total of 20 cases before it was closed last Saturday.

Following the discovery of the new cases, CGH said that cleaning had been completed in the affected areas to curb the spread of infections. Infection control protocols are also in place.

In addition, routine Covid-19 surveillance swab tests for patients and staff members have all returned negative.

Even so, the hospital said that affected patients would not be able to receive visitors as a precaution. 

“As Covid-19 becomes endemic and vaccination rates increase, the testing and detection of Covid-19 is the new normal,” CGH said.  

“We continue to adapt to the new normal, and remain vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of our patients, our colleagues and our community.

“We are grateful for the support and understanding of our community here in the east, and for the cooperation of our patients in being routinely tested,” it said.