The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been progressively rolling out community testing operations for identified groups across the island.
These groups include stallholders, food deliverers, cleaners and cashiers.
So far, the operations saw more than 5000 from Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade and Taman Jurong tested since September 2020.
Community testing shows low prevalence rates in the community
The good news so far is that all who participated in this voluntary exercise are COVID-19 negative.
The results of the community testing operations indicate very low prevalence rates in the community. This is an indicator that our safe management measures are helping to keep us safe.
On Thursday, MOH offered the community testing operation to stallholders in and around Tekka Centre.
MOH said that in the coming weeks, they will also be offering COVID-19 testing to individuals working at key delivery centres such as Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre and key logistics delivery companies.
Local transmission
Local transmission of COVID-19 reported yesterday ended Singapore’s 15-day streak of zero local transmission. The local case is a Singaporean.
However, no cases were reported from the dormitories which now sees 16 days of zero new COVID-19 cases.
As of 26 November, there are currently 43 confirmed cases who are still in the hospital. Of these, 23 are in hospitals with one case in critical condition in the intensive care unit. 20 are isolated and cared for at community facilities. These are those who have mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19.
Towards Phase 3
Earlier in November, Education Minister Lawrence Wong who also co-chairs the Multi-Ministry Taskforce said that Singapore could transit to Phase 3 by the end of the year. The timing will be contingent on individuals doing their part.
The most important enabler is ‘safe management’.
“We do need to see Singaporeans taking today’s measures seriously because if people are not even responsible enough to uphold (them), then going for further relaxation is going to be very risky,” Mr Wong emphasised.
By keeping our social groups small, maintaining safe distancing and exercising social responsibility, we contribute to the nationwide effort to prevent spread.
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