[OnlyLiveOnce]

The testing of Covid19 is implemented in SG using the gold standard PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method where a full laboratory setup is required.

Initially 2000 tests were conducted daily and were recently ramped up to provide 3000 tests daily for the foreign workers (FWs) in the dormitories and factory converted units and up to 5000 tests daily for citizens and others. The number of tests can be further ramped up to 40,000 daily if needed. Some 10% of the FWs were tested so far.

However, the number of tests are carefully calibrated so as not to overwhelm our medical services and facilities and the recent overloading of a lab severely restricted the number of daily tests.

The high percentage of + Covid19 results among the FWs severely stresses our medical services but fortunately most of these cases are asymptomatic, ie. displaying little or mild symptoms but require quarantine to prevent the spreading of Covid19 while others with symptoms are hospitalised. The asymptomatic patients are housed in specialised community facilities including cruise ships. The high no of such cases easily filled up the Superstar Gemini and Aquarius in about two days.

Luckily, the spread of Covid19 among the community at large is at a low rate.

So to summarise: Until the day we complete the testing and management of all FWs (another 80 - 90%), the main source of Covid19 cases in SG, the changes for people in SG to travel overseas remain slim.