Updates and Issuance of Quarantine Orders for Positive COVID-19 Cases and Healthcare Workers Tested Positive and Management of Manpower Resources Given Recent Spike in Cases and Move towards Endemic
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns COVID-19 case detection, healthcare manpower risks, contact tracing adjustments, and delays in issuing Quarantine Orders as Singapore transitions toward an endemic phase. Ms Ng Ling Ling, Mr Xie Yao Quan, Ms He Ting Ru, and Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about ART-detected cases, healthcare worker infection rates, and principles for adjusting manpower resources. They also raised concerns regarding the responsiveness of Ministry hotlines and the timeline for conveying positive patients to quarantine facilities during the case spike. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung responded that these queries were addressed through an oral reply covering updates on government decisions and measures for the endemic stage. This consolidated response was provided in the context of the Official Report dated October 4, 2021, regarding the evolving pandemic situation.
Transcript
27 Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health of the positive COVID-19 cases that are confirmed with a polymerase chain test at a Swab and Send Home clinic, how many of these cases have been initially detected through the antigen rapid self-test kits.
28 Mr Xie Yao Quan asked the Minister for Health (a) to date, what are the respective numbers of healthcare workers who have been (i) confirmed as COVID-19 positive (ii) placed on quarantine (iii) placed on health risk warning and (iv) placed on health risk alert; and (b) whether the Ministry is considering any strategies to ensure sufficient manning in the public healthcare sector while managing the risks.
29 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Health (a) how many individuals are currently hired for COVID-19 contact tracing operations; (b) whether manpower numbers will be adjusted given the recent huge spike in cases and as Singapore moves towards an endemic COVID-19 situation; and (c) what are the principles behind how manpower adjustments in contact tracing operations will be made.
30 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health (a) since 18 August 2021, how many patients who tested positive for COVID-19 waited (i) between 24 and 72 hours or (ii) more than 72 hours, after the receipt of their test results before being issued Quarantine Orders; and (b) whether more staff and resources will be provided to operate the Ministry hotline and convey COVID-19 patients to Government quarantine facilities.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: These questions for written answer have been addressed by oral reply to Question Nos 1 to 20 on the Order Paper for 4 October 2021. [Please refer to "Update on Government Decisions and Measures as Singapore Moves into Endemic Stage of COVID-19 Situation", Official Report, 4 October 2021, Vol 95, Issue 39, Oral Answers to Questions section.]