More cases of COVID-19 infections could emerge from Seoul Garden after a case was detected but a major cluster is unlikely, say experts.
This is because of Singapore’s regiment of enhanced testing and contact-tracing.
In a Straits Times report, Professor Dale Fisher, senior consultant at the division of infectious diseases at the National University Hospital credits Singapore’s enhanced surveillance for the case that was picked up.
Prof Dale was quoted by the Straits Times as saying, “It is quite possible that he may have passed it on and there will be a second generation of cases – a small cluster. But provided those contacts are quarantined when diagnosed, then the transmission chain will stop there.
“It is a credit to Singapore’s enhanced surveillance that it was picked up. This gives us the best chance to stop further spread early,” he said in the report.
Indeed, since 1 July, MOH has required that anyone who is 13 and older and who presents at a clinic with respiratory symptoms would be sent for a COVID-19 swab.
As a result of this enhanced surveillance, the case at Seoul Garden was picked up quickly when he presented himself at a clinic with fever and a sore throat.
[irp posts=”5353″ name=”First local COVID-19 infection after 15 days had dinner with 12 family members”]
The case at Seoul Garden is a reminder to us to stay vigilant and not to let our guard down. Zero cases in the community do not mean the virus has been eradicated.
Professor Teo Yik Ying, Dean of the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health explained that the public health measures imposed serve two purposes.
The first is to prevent outbreaks in the community. Secondly, should an outbreak occur, the measures will help to slow down the spread to allow contact tracing to take place, to test and quarantine people and to break the chains of transmission.
Just think. If the family had adhered to the 5-person rule instead of having a gathering of 12 family members than potentially, only 4 persons would be at risk.
So let us not be complacent but take all measures seriously. Observe them with diligence and religiosity, not compromise or find ways to get around the measures.
