[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Human Resources Minister Josephine Teo urged the public not to be “too alarmed”, even though the number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore remains high due to “extensive testing” among migrant workers.
Ms. Teo made the appeal in a Facebook post on Thursday (May 14), in which she also described some of the measures targeting migrant workers as “circuit breaker” restrictions were gradually lifted starting in June.
Ad
Until now, the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in Singapore have been among foreign workers living in dormitories.
READ: Like a ‘giant N95 mask’: safer, faster COVID-19 testing of migrant workers with new mobile swab station
Ms. Teo explained that the large number of reported cases among migrant workers reflected the current “aggressive evidence” approach.
Ad
“Few countries have extensively tested their migrant populations; Far fewer have committed to evaluating all of their migrant workers, as Singapore has. ”
READ: Other Singapore labs not using the same COVID-19 test kit, instrument that led to 33 false positive cases: MOH
All 323,000 foreign workers staying in these dormitories will be screened to make sure they are virus-free before resuming work, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong previously announced Tuesday.
This “extensive testing approach,” said Ms. Teo, “will ensure that workers are infection-free when they can resume work.”
“As we move through the recovery phase, we must try to help our companies restart operations safely and help our workers return to work safely.
“Many Singaporeans therefore understand that systematic testing allows us to better care for workers as well as protect our businesses and the community at large.”
READ: COVID-19: Singapore Registers More Discharged Cases Than New Patients in One Day
He added that this “robust testing strategy” would have to go hand in hand with the surveillance and health surveillance measures that the government has begun to implement.
“This will allow us to continuously detect infections in workers who may have mild or no symptoms, and help them receive treatment sooner.”
To date, Singapore has seen more than 25,000 cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths related to the disease.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
