We’ve already heard that our healthcare system is under pressure, and that the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions was imposed to prevent it from being overwhelmed.
But there’s something else that could threaten to do just that: infected hospital staff and patients.
If more and more patients and staff members at hospitals contract COVID-19, the wards at which they’re stationed will have to be closed, putting a strain on bed capacity in other wards.
Earlier this month, the authorities announced a four-week suspension of hospital visits as more cases had been detected among hospital staff, patients, and even visitors.
Now, we know exactly how many got infected.
130 Healthcare Workers & Patients Infected With COVID-19 In the Last 2 Weeks
In the two weeks leading up to the suspension of hospital visits which kicked in on 24 Sep, 130 hospital staff and patients have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the patients were admitted to the affected hospitals for non-COVID-19 ailments.
As for the healthcare workers, those infected included both clinical and support ancillary staff.
To mitigate the impact of their absence, staff from other areas within the hospital have been deployed to cover them. They will, of course, be made to wear personal protective equipment.
7 Wards Closed in 6 Hospitals
As a result of the spate of infections in hospitals, seven wards in six acute public hospitals have been closed in the two weeks leading up to the suspension.
This is why visits to hospitals have been suspended, as ward closures have put a strain on hospital bed capacity at a time when more COVID-19 cases are coming in than ever.
At the moment, 15% of the hospital beds in the acute public sector hospitals are used for COVID-19 patients.
Suspension of Hospital VisitsÂ
The suspension, which bars most visitors from hospitals, will be in place until 23 Oct.
However, the following patient groups may be allowed visitation on a case-by-case basis, as assessed by the hospital:
1. Patients who are in critical condition
2. Paediatric patients
3. Birthing/post-partum mothers
4. Patients requiring additional care support from caregivers. (Examples include the assistance of inpatients who have mental incapacities or family members who are undergoing caregiver training to better care for their loved ones after hospital discharge.)
The above patients will only be allowed one pre-designated visitor, with one visit per day.
Patients who are in critical condition may be allowed up to five pre-designated visitors, with a maximum of two visitors at the patient’s bedside at any one time.
Regardless of vaccination status, all visitors approved to visit will need to produce a valid negative antigen rapid test (ART) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result obtained within the last 24 hours of each visit.
The test must be supervised by MOH-approved COVID-19 test providers.
The authorities have also urged residents to avoid seeking treatment at a hospital if they only have mild symptoms.
They can consult a general practitioner at a Swab and Send Home (SASH) clinic instead.
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