120 Bus Drivers Across All Bus Interchange Clusters Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 So Far

For months, we’ve been cautioned to avoid places with a higher chance of COVID-19 transmission.

But what happens if those places become individuals… whom we have to interact with in one way or another?

Though the idea sounds dire, it’s unfortunately a notion that hits too close to home.

Especially considering the following circumstances.

120 Bus Drivers Across All Bus Interchange Clusters Tested Positive for COVID-19 So Far

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has said that 120 bus drivers have been infected with COVID-19.

That’s a considerable 1.3% of the 9,500 bus captains in Singapore.

The high-profile cases came after 7 confirmed bus interchange clusters. These include:

• Jurong East Bus Interchange
• Boon Lay Bus Interchange
• Clementi Bus Interchange
• Punggol Bus Interchange
• Toa Payoh Bus Interchange
• Bishan Bus Interchange
• Sengkang Bus Interchange

In the Bishan cluster alone, there are 23 infected bus drivers.

Meanwhile, staff from these interchanges, as well as their contacts, account for 54 cases.

It should be noted that of the 120 bus drivers who were infected, only four were unvaccinated.

Precautionary Measures

A LTA spokesperson has since clarified that measures are being implemented at current moment.

In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, he revealed that when a cluster is detected, deep cleaning and disinfection are carried out at the affiliated premises.

This is on top of the stepped-up cleaning regime, which has been in place since 2020.

In addition, safe management measures have been tightened, and workers have been asked to undertake their meals and smoke breaks alone.

The relevant authorities are also monitoring the situation closely, and further measures may be implemented if the need arises.

Interchange Clusters

In total, 174 cases are linked to the bus interchange clusters.

124 new locally transmitted cases were reported yesterday (29 August 2021), 34 of whom are unlinked.

There were also nine imported cases.

Overall, the number of new cases has jumped from 240 in the week before to 634 in the past week.

Unlinked community cases have also grown from 86 in the week before to 152 in the past week.

At the moment, there are 414 cases currently warded in hospital, most of whom are well and under observation.

14 severe cases require oxygen supplementation, and six are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Most of these 20 patients are above the age of 60, and are either partially vaccinated or completely unvaccinated.

At the moment, 80% of the population is fully vaccinated, with 83% having received at least one dose.

Read Also:

• Another COVID-19 Cluster Emerged in a Bus Interchange; Total of 7 Bus Interchange Clusters Now
• 10 Facts About PM Lee’s NDR Speech You Need To Know

Featured Image: Dr David Sing/shutterstock.com