SCDF Officers Still Have To Wear PPE When Attending To Patients Serving SHNs/Quarantine
Back in February when the DORSCON level was upped to Orange, SCDF officers were required to don personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to all cases.
SCDF Officers Wear Same Attire For All Operations, So Donning Protective Gear Doesn’t Mean Covid-19
But from Monday (15 Jun), SCDF ambulance staff will only be required to wear PPE for cases related to Covid-19.
This came amid a decline in coronavirus cases among the community.
SCDF officers have to wear N95 masks and goggles at all times
According to The Straits Times, ambulance officers will have to don PPE when attending to 4 groups of people
- Covid-19 patients
- Those under quarantine
- Those under stay-home notice
- Suspected cases.
While PPE will no longer be required for non-Covid cases, SCDF crew will continue wearing N95 masks and goggles at all times.
This measure will reportedly prevent Covid-19 from potentially spreading via droplets by entering the eyes, nose, and mouth,
Doing away with PPE will also reduce the likelihood of heat fatigue, which is a possible risk for crew members who spend prolonged periods outdoors.
PPE required back in Feb when DORSCon level upped to orange
SCDF officers were required to wear PPE back in early-Feburary when the DORSCON level was upped to orange.
The DORSCON level has remained unchanged since then,
DORSCON level as of 14 Jun
Source
Masks and goggles will offer SCDF crew protection
While PPEs will no longer be required for most types of cases, we are heartened that masks and goggles are still required to be worn for the crew’s protection.
With around half of all Covid-19 here being asymptomatic, such measures should definitely be in place to prevent any potential spread of the virus.
Featured image adapted from SCDF.
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