After 1.5 years with the coronavirus, we’ve learned that the best way to deal with it is also what kiasu parents subject their children to during the school holidays:
Tests, tests, and more tests.
The more COVID-19 tests we do, the quicker we can fish out undetected infections in the community and draw a ring around them so the disease doesn’t spread further.
And this is exactly what the authorities are doing in Redhill and Tiong Bahru.
More Testing for People in Redhill & Tiong Bahru After More Cases Uncovered in Bukit Merah View Food Centre Cluster
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be carrying out special COVID-19 testing operations for all staff and tenants working at several locations in Redhill and Tiong Bahru.
The tests will be conducted from today (18 June), MOH said.
The mass testing drive was announced after more cases were confirmed in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood yesterday, including one that’s unlinked.
The testing locations are:
- 78, 79, 80, 84 and 85 Redhill Lane, 86 Redhill Close
- 18 Jalan Membina
- Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Hu Coffeeshop at 56 Eng Hoon Street
The ministry said it was investigating cases of COVID-19 infection among people who work in or visited these locations.
“In order to disrupt any wider, undetected community transmission, we will conduct special testing operations for all staff and tenants who have been working at these premises,” MOH said.
It will also be offering free testing to members of the public who visited these shops during selected dates in June.
If you’ve visited shops in these areas recently, you can head here for more details.
Bukit Merah View Market Cluster Grows to 56
Meanwhile, the cluster at Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre grew to 56 cases, as 17 more infections were added to it yesterday.
They included workers at the market, students at nearby schools, and a stall assistant at a Tiong Bahru Coffee shop, among others.
This is why…
It May Cause a Delay in Our Reopening
As you know, fortunes can change quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And the latest community outbreak may cause a delay in the next stage of our reopening.
At least that’s what Finance Minister Lawrence Wong hinted at recently. Here’s what he said:
“We are now at stage 1 of our reopening. Stage 2 is scheduled next Monday (21 June). Unfortunately we now have new cases breaking out and a major new cluster in Bukit Merah,” he said.
“Given these developments, we are evaluating the timing and scope of the next stage of reopening. The MTF is studying the situation carefully with public health experts and will provide further updates soon.”
So, don’t be surprised if dining out is put off for a while. The authorities haven’t announced anything yet, but if the outbreak doesn’t abate, they may have to take the necessary measures.
Featured Image: Google Maps