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SINGAPORE: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday (December 28) thanked health workers for playing a pivotal role in the national fight against COVID-19 during an “extraordinary” and “exhausting” year.
“I want to thank you for taking Singapore so far on our journey,” Gan said in a letter to health workers posted on the Ministry of Health (MOH) Facebook page.
“That Singapore’s COVID-19 death rate is among the lowest in the world is by no means a fluke. It is a testament to their hard work, perseverance and sacrifice.”
As of Monday, Singapore has reported a total of 58,529 COVID-19 cases, with 29 deaths from complications due to the infection.
READ: ‘No longer groping in the dark’: NCID doctors share how COVID-19 is treated in Singapore
Recalling Singapore’s first imported coronavirus case reported on Jan.23, Gan said the nation has come a long way since then.
“From the early days of anxiety and uncertainty, we quickly improvise and adapt our structures and processes to find new ways to care for each patient, with COVID-19 or otherwise,” said the Co-Chair of the multi-ministerial task COVID-19 . strength.
This included the deployment of medical teams in community care facilities and worker dormitories, increasing the healthcare workforce, and working with partners in the public and private sectors.
At the peak of the outbreak, Singapore posted a “staggering” record of more than 1,400 new cases per day in April.
“But giving up was never an option,” Gan said.
“As a nation, we continue to push, and through a colossal effort, with every Singaporean playing their part, we finally managed to bring our local broadcasts to their low levels today, with zero cases in a few days.”
A COVID-19 community screening center in Ang Mo Kio on October 16, 2020 (Photo: Facebook / Lee Hsien Loong)
READ: No new COVID-19 cases in Singapore bedrooms for the first time in over 6 months
He added that while the year was at times filled with “despair and hopelessness,” it was also “defined by a strong sense of mission, purpose and camaraderie” to keep Singapore safe.
“We have an excellent healthcare system and an outstanding healthcare workforce that never wavered in its commitment to keeping all patients safe,” and many go beyond the call of duty, said Mr. Gan.
But while there is hope in global developments around a COVID-19 vaccine, the minister warned that “vaccination is not a silver bullet that can quickly end the pandemic.”
“It will be some time before the storm passes,” he said.
READ: COVID-19 – The government accepts the recommendations of the committee on the vaccination strategy, to start vaccinating health workers from December 30
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NEEDED IN PHASE 3: LAWRENCE WONG
As Singapore enters Phase 3 of its reopening on Monday, the public must continue to abide by existing measures and not lower their guard, said the multidisciplinary task force co-chair Lawrence Wong.
“Around the world, some experts are already warning of a post-season spike in cases as people ignore restrictions and gather in droves for holiday celebrations,” Wong said in a Facebook post.
“We must not allow that to happen here. The newer and more infectious UK strain also indicates the need for continued surveillance.”
READ: COVID-19 – Most Diners Stick to Smaller Groups on the First Day of Phase 3
He added that some residents continue to ignore the rules, singling out those who reserve multiple tables at restaurants or hold large parties in their homes.
“We will intensify enforcement controls and take strong action against these infractions, even for the first infractions,” said Wong, who is also Minister of Education.
These actions include closures of business establishments and fines for individuals, he said. Holders of work passes who break the rules also run the risk of having their passes revoked.
“So let’s stay focused and get through the next few months safely, until we can vaccinate everyone in Singapore,” said Mr. Wong.
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