Imported Covid-19 Cases Likely To Rise As More Singaporeans Return Home
The number of imported Covid-19 cases in Singapore has spiked in recent days causing Singaporeans to feel understandably worried.
On Wednesday (25 Mar), Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament that the number of Covid-19 cases will continue to rise as some 200,000 Singaporeans overseas return home in the coming days.
Imported Covid-19 cases mostly from UK, US & Indonesia
In the ministerial statement, Mr Gan noted that almost 80% of new Covid-19 cases lately have been imported from countries around the world, except China.
This is despite around 1,000 residents and long-term pass holders returning from China in the past week alone, reports The Straits Times.
The top 3 sources of imported cases to Singapore are:
- United Kingdom (UK)
- United States (US)
- Indonesia.
Strict border controls to lower imported cases
Mr Gan also touched on the 3-pronged approach that the government has implemented to slow the outbreak:
- Reducing importation
- Detecting and isolating cases early
- Emphasising social responsibility.
When it comes to lowering the number of imported cases, Singapore has apparently put in place strict border controls to stop all short-term visitors – including tourists – to enter or transit in Singapore.
The government has also raised ‘barriers’ for Singaporeans and PRs to travel overseas during these difficult times.
This discourages them to travel, in turn contracting the virus overseas before returning to Singapore as an imported case.
Stepped up border checks to detect cases early
Agencies have also stepped up border checks to detect suspected cases at an earlier stage before they come into contact with the wider Singapore population, reports The Straits Times.
Additionally, hospitals, polyclinics, as well as clinics were successful in detecting cases early through surveillance.
39,000 Covid-19 tests conducted to date
Social responsibility among citizens is also another key aspect in combatting the disease.
Here in Singapore, around 267,000 subsidised attendances at clinics have been recorded excluding those at polyclinics.
The nation is also leaving no stones unturned when it comes to testing — around 39,000 Covid-19 tests have been conducted to date.
This converts to roughly 6,800 tests per million people, more than 6,500 per million population in Korea and 1,000 per million population in Taiwan.
Maintain good hygiene & avoid crowded places
As the Covid-19 outbreak escalates worldwide, more Singaporeans would be returning home to wait out the crisis.
This is also in line with the government’s advisory for citizens who wish to return home to do so ASAP.
While the number of Singaporeans returning, and the corresponding increase in imported Covid-19 cases are things we can do little about, what’s in our control is the conscious decision to maintain good hygiene and avoid crowded places during this difficult times.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
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