The coronavirus has been around for pretty much the entire year of 2020, and there are still new measures being taken each day to curb its spread so that it will eventually just disappear.
Okay, it’s probably not going to “just disappear”, but Singapore has definitely made a lot of progress in containing the spread of Covid-19, with our number of daily cases finally falling below a 100 a day.
Now, it is also going to be much easier for people to get tested for the virus, thanks to the 170 Covid-19 swab booths that are now available islandwide.
170 Swab Booths Available In PHPCs
This is not only a more effective way for people to get tested, but it is also a lot safer.
Swab booths can now be found at 170 clinics around Singapore, to allow those with shortness of breath, cough or any other sign of a Covid-19 infection to get tested while bolstering the safety of the general practitioners (GPs), clinic staff and their patients.
These clinics are part of a 900-wide network of Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) spread across the island.
The Ministry of Health came up with this strategy to test everyone diagnosed with an acute respiratory infection (ARI), once there was sufficient testing capacity.
It was previously announced on 25 June that everyone aged 13 and above with ARI would be subjected to tests from 1 July onwards.
These swab booths, known as Cosmo-Slim, have been on trial since end-July. They were developed by local engineering company ATC, and sponsored by Temasek Foundation.
According to Ng Boon Heong, chief executive of Temasek Foundation, the booths will allow clinics to be “better protected while swabbing patients displaying symptoms of acute respiratory infections immediately at their clinic’s practice, without having to send them to another location”.
The booths are lightweight and mobile, as they were built using an aluminium frame and polycarbonate panels.
However, their appearance may change over time as GPs participating in the trial have been told to provide feedback on the booths after using them to improve their design and functionality.
Safer For Doctors & Patients
To ensure maximum safety, doctors have to put on personal protective equipment when conducting swab tests. They are also encouraged to use the booth outdoors, in quiet areas with low human traffic, or in a well-ventilated room inside the clinic.
The booth also comes with latex gloves attached to a panel where doctors will insert their hands to collect the swab sample from the patient.
After a swab is taken, the booth will be sprayed immediately with a 70 per cent alcohol disinfectant.
All of these safety practices will ensure that there is no cross-contamination between patients and doctors, or from patients to patients.
On top of that, to add an extra layer of safety (because you can never be too safe), every booth is also fitted with a self-disinfecting antimicrobial coating which lasts for around six months.
More Convenience For Patients
Apart from these 170 clinics, swab tests will also be available at Regional Screening Centres, which is a network that the Health Promotion Board is expanding.
The swab booths are also supposed to make the process of swabbing more convenient for patients.
“When patients are swabbed at their neighbourhood GPs, they can return home to await their tests results instead of having to travel to other testing centres, to get their swabs done, which brings them more convenience and also helps to keep the community safe,” said Dr Teo Boon See, one of the GPs who helped in the design of the swab booth.
“There’s also an added sense of comfort and familiarity for patients who may be squirmish about getting swabbed if it’s their regular GP who is the one administering the test.”
So, how much does this cost for the patient?
Well, it is actually free of charge if they were directed to the selected PHPC or polyclinic by their GP, and if they arrive there within 48 hours.
If not, the rates clinics normally charged under the Flu Subsidy Scheme or Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) will apply.
Singaporeans, permanent residents, and eligible work permit holders will have to pay a flat subsidised rate of $10. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors would need to pay $5.
The results will take around one to two days to process, and patients are advised to stay at home while waiting for their results.
This new testing procedure aims to slow down the spread of Covid-19 by conducting more tests in neighbourhood clinics.
“By swabbing sick patients immediately once they come to us, we can pick up COVID-19 cases early. Hopefully, this will help to keep community cases under control as Singapore reopens,” said Dr Teo.
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