Assessed Risk of COVID-19 Transmission to Individuals Living or Going to School Near Nursing Homes Repurposed Into Community Treatment Facilities

96 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health regarding the first COVID-19 stepped-up community treatment facility (CTF) repurposed from the nursing home at 1 Tampines Street 22 (a) what is the assessed risk of COVID-19 transmission to students and staffers at the nearby Angsana Primary School; (b) what are the considerations for choosing the nursing home which is near to residential areas and schools; and (c) how has the Ministry worked with the MOE to reassure the parents and students in the nearby schools.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: COVID-19 Treatment Facilities (CTFs) are an important part of our COVID-19 response strategy. By providing care for patients who are stable but at higher risk of serious illness, CTFs alleviate the burden on our public hospitals, allowing them to focus on patients who are more seriously ill.

CTFs are located in different parts of Singapore, with the first one set up in Tampines. We would like to thank residents for their understanding and support as we ramp up more of these facilities in our community to ease the strain on public hospitals.

CTF facilities are subject to stringent infection control measures. Further, the COVID-19 virus typically transmits through modes such as close interactions, sharing of food or items, or prolonged exposure in an enclosed space. It is not known to spread airborne from one premise to another.