No Positive Case Detected from Hougang HDB Blocks Special Ops Testing

In recent weeks, Hougang has become the Yishun of the COVID-19 world.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it had identified a new cluster of 13 cases at Block 506 Hougang Avenue 8 after carrying out a mass testing exercise at the block.

Given that over 4,000 people were tested in the area, we all feared that we could soon have yet another massive outbreak on our hands.

Fortunately, unlike Yishun, it seems like Hougang will soon shake off its unwanted reputation.

No Positive Case Detected from Hougang HDB Blocks Special Ops Testing

No positive COVID-19 tests have emerged from the mass testing exercise for visitors of Block 506 Hougang Avenue 8 and residents and visitors of nearby blocks of HDB flats, MOH said yesterday (11 June).

A total of 4,384 people tested negative in the testing operation which was done on Thursday (10 June).

The nearby blocks which were included in the testing exercise were:

• Block 511 – Hougang Avenue 10
• Blocks 681, 683 and 684 – Hougang Avenue 8
• Block 682 – Hougang Avenue 4
• Blocks 685 and 698 – Hougang Street 61

MOH announced the mass testing operation after detecting a cluster at Block 506 Hougang Avenue 8.

Cluster of 13 

The cluster was identified after another resident of the block – a 58-year-old Singaporean woman – tested positive on 3 June.

Previously, 12 confirmed cases were linked to the cluster.

The new cluster included a subcluster of four cases linked to a 67-year-old retiree, who was confirmed to have the virus on 26 May.

Viral Strain of Cluster Same as Other Nearby Blocks

On Thursday (10 June), the authorities announced that the viral COVID-19 variant that caused the cluster at Block 506 Hougang Avenue 8 has been found to be the same as the one detected at other nearby blocks.

This suggests a common exposure point, but the authorities said it doesn’t mean that it has been spreading through sewage systems or even airflow.

Experts earlier debunked the theory that the coronavirus could be transmitted through the wastewater system, after the virus spread between neighbouring blocks.

What’s likely to have happened instead is that residents contracted the virus through a contaminated surface, during a social visit, or even a meeting at a coffee shop.

The health ministry said it is still carrying out investigations, and that the mode of transmission has yet to be determined.

All Residents & Visitors of Sumang Walk HDB Block Test Negative

There was more good news from the authorities this week as all 452 residents and visitors of HDB block 325A Sumang Walk in Punggol tested negative for COVID-19.

A mandatory testing operation commenced at the Sumang Walk block on Tuesday morning (8 June), after 8 cases were detected among three families living there.

As the authorities said earlier, such mass testing operations are a good thing, as undetected infections can be ringfenced before they spread to the community.

Featured Image: Google Maps