COVID-19: Measures to protect seniors will continue after circuit breaker period
SINGAPORE — With seniors at a significantly increased risk of severe disease if they are infected with COVID-19, the government will continue to protect them even as the circuit breaker measures are lifted, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday (8 May).
“Globally, about 80 per cent of COVID-19 deaths occured in those older than 60 years old. In Singapore, we see the same trends. Our death rates from COVID-19 are low but among these, those 60 and above account for the vast majority. Ninety per cent of all COVID deaths here are seniors,” said Gan at a virtual press conference by the multi-ministry taskforce on COVID-19.
And with nearly one in six seniors developing severe symptoms requiring intensive care in hospital, Gan said, “It is therefore critical that we make extra efforts to protect our seniors.
“Even as we cautiously lift some circuit breaker measures we will continue to put in place enhanced safeguards where necessary, especially for vulnerable groups like our seniors.”
As of Thursday noon, there have been 20 COVID-19 related fatalities in Singapore.
Among the measures - residential care homes and nursing homes will arrange for their client-facing staff to stay on site or at hotels, the authorities earlier announced.
Gan on Friday said about 2,600 nursing home staff are in the process of moving into hotels.
The authorities will also test all staff and residents of nursing homes who display symptoms of acute respiratory infection, alongside new residents prior to admission, he said.
The authorities began COVID-19 testing on all 9,000 staff at the 80 nursing homes in Singapore on 29 April. So far, only one staff member at the Ren Ci nursing home in Ang Mo Kio has tested positive, while more than 30 residents who could have been in contact with the staff have tested negative.
Meanwhile, testing on all 16,000 residents at the 80 nursing homes is expected to be completed by early next month.
“We expect that more cases will be identified within our nursing homes with this extensive testing in progress. Where there is a positive case, Ministry of Health and AIC (Agency for Integrated Care) will support the nursing home to thoroughly disinfect the affected areas and conduct tracing and quarantine close contacts,” said Gan.
The Health Ministry reported a preliminary 768 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore as of Friday noon, bringing the total tally to 21,707.
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