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Covid-19 infections continue to show up in previously virus-free bedrooms as many of the workers have not been exposed and therefore remain susceptible to the virus, said Deputy Minister for Human Resources Tan See Leng.
“However, we are prepared for this,” he said yesterday at a virtual press conference.
Since the dormitories were declared cleared nearly a month ago on August 11, there have been an average of 45 workers who tested positive for Covid-19 on a daily basis, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
These were mainly detected through active surveillance tests, such as Routine List Testing (RRT) and aggressive follow-up and testing when a new case is detected. About 2 percent of these newly detected cases had positive serological tests, indicating past infections.
When asked if some of the cases in the cleared bedrooms had gone undetected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, Dr. Tan noted: “A PCR test is a test at that time in So it’s a snapshot of the migrant worker’s state at that particular moment. And it’s also a function of contracting the virus at a certain concentration. “
He said it is not a question of sensitivity, adding that the test kits used here are “very sensitive tests.”
“It’s just that at that particular time in the incubation cycle, we may not have detected the virus because, as it manifests, the concentration has not yet reached that level.”
Because of this, authorities decided to beef up the network by listing workers for testing every 14 days, a key lever in Singapore’s screening strategy, said Dr Tan, citing studies showing that up to 30 percent of infected people are asymptomatic.
In 14 days, about 98 percent of the migrant worker dormitory population can be screened, he noted.
“Now, does that mean we lose 2 percent? No, because the moment we detect some kind of reemerging number, we actually lock the block and test everyone.
“So we think these repeat tests … will allow us to eliminate this and bring it under control.”
Only about 15 percent of dorm residents began routine testing early last month, but a few weeks later, as more workers were added to the list, an increase in new cases was noted.
Currently, about 90 percent of workers are scheduled for routine testing and “we expect to reach 100 percent in the next few weeks,” said Dr. Tan.
“Early detection is essential, as it helps break the chain of transmission and reduce the number of infections later. We will continue our efforts to detect new cases early and isolate them.”
Workers who have not yet registered for RRT cannot go out to work, he said. “This is how we really ‘contain and quarantine’ this group.”
Adding that routine testing is an effective and efficient measure, Dr. Tan called on dormitory operators, employers and workers to work together with authorities to minimize the risk of an outbreak.
Dr. Tan noted that authorities have so far managed to contain more than 200 re-emerging sleeping sites. In most of these sites, the number of reemerging infections has been low, with fewer than 10 each.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasized that there is a risk of transmission in the community, as these dormitory residents may interact with fellow migrant workers and Singaporeans at work. sites.
“So there is a risk,” he added. “What is really crucial is ensuring that in addition to the measures that we have imposed on bedrooms and workplaces, we must remain quite strict on safe distancing measures in the community. So even if there is an infection in the community community, we can reduce the risk of spread and reduce the risk of a large community group forming. “
Measures in place to address cases in bedrooms
To detect and contain new cases of Covid-19 in bedrooms, the Ministry of Manpower has implemented a “multi-level strategy” with three main points.
1. TO PREVENT POTENTIAL INFECTIONS
“Safe Life, Safe Work, Safe Rest Day” measures have been implemented in workers’ bedrooms.
Before dormitory residents can return to work, dormitory operators must implement various physical distancing measures to prevent workers from mixing in rooms, levels and blocks, as well as when using common facilities and during transportation to and from workplaces.
Operators must also monitor the health of their residents and take necessary precautions so that those who are not well are quickly isolated and receive medical treatment.
2. TO DETECT NEW CASES QUICKLY
The Ministry of Manpower has implemented a series of measures, including that workers monitor themselves and update their health status regularly. Those who report ill with acute respiratory illnesses are closely watched.
Wastewater in selected bedrooms is also tested for traces of the virus, and residents are routinely tested (RRT) every 14 days. The RRT, in particular, has helped detect new cases in bedrooms.
3. CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
Close contacts will be quarantined and must test negative at the end of their quarantine period before they can return to work. Aggressive testing operations will also be conducted inside the bedrooms based on the potential risk of spread.
The ministry will continue to adjust this strategy as new insights become available on how the virus spreads.
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