Friday, May 7, 2021

Long queues at screening centres leave some frustrated

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/long-queues-screening-centres-leave-some-frustrated
By Samuel Devaraj, The New Paper, 04 May 2021 at 06:00 am


The queue at 11am yesterday (03 May 2021) at the former Bishan Park Secondary School in Sin Ming, which has been converted to a Covid-19 screening centre.
PHOTO: The queue at 11am yesterday (03 May 2021) at the former Bishan Park Secondary School in Sin Ming, which has been converted to a Covid-19 screening centre. Equally lengthy queues were seen at other centres, with waiting times of more than two hours.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Picture posted by Samuel Devaraj, The New Paper on 04 May 2021 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDo7HRuaSmpaU_Nje9ymEFG00D7Gu1VjXm8jTYGukEbHPkquL0fR9_-lVX7jbkCrKr0LbJkCskiY-wxqoouhyphenhyphenkODjamWTkLisGktB5kZTwgPIEmd4H7LqMT28QqAvZqOTRNOGGXluDgQ/s800/20210504_queue_lianhezaobao.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/May2021/20210504_queue_lianhezaobao.jpg?itok=fm6l2XtH
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/tan-tock-seng-covid-19-cluster-long-queues-free-swab-test-leave-some-frustrated


Encouraged to get a free swab test after emergence of TTSH cluster, some are asked to return another day

He received an SMS on Sunday saying he had been in the same building the previous Monday at around the same time as a Covid-19 case from the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) cluster.

In the message from the Ministry of Health (MOH), Mr Rio Yamamoto, 27, was urged to visit one of four regional screening centres or a designated clinic for a free swab test.

Anxious to know if he was safe, the digital marketing executive arrived at the former Da Qiao Primary School centre in Ang Mo Kio at 3pm yesterday.


QUEUE AT REGIONAL SCREENING CENTRE
PHOTO: QUEUE AT REGIONAL SCREENING CENTRE
People queueing to get tested for Covid-19 yesterday at the former Da Qiao Primary School in Ang Mo Kio, one of four regional screening centres designated for free testing for people with possible exposure to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital cluster.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Picture posted by Joyce Teo, The Straits Times on 04 May 2021 at 05:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgn_RRhjnGBG7neIwyf7wmTYAVJEGzHwugFzk_lBxDkBL2tvyEE_ILsOQCZ6wo2ufiJIYAnNFTOek23fumXPfHh9MzhbA7rX31GCVkRmfpKLRhyfcqmS582jF58fFoI2cGiEika7HEBs/s860/ST_20210504_JTTTSH04_6513858.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2021/05/04/ST_20210504_JTTTSH04_6513858.jpg?itok=IbIsyylb&timestamp=1620064943
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/hospitals-increase-capacity-as-load-grows-after-ttsh-cluster


To his surprise, the queue was so long he had to be turned away. Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that there were more than 300 people at the centre at 11am.

CONCERNING
"I was hoping to take the test to get peace of mind as I am concerned about passing the virus to my parents," Mr Rio told The New Paper.

"It is quite concerning to see potential Covid-19 cases gathering like this. The risk and the long (wait) would deter those who want to get tested," he added.


Queues seen outside the former Da Qiao Primary School at Ang Mo Kio, one of the regional screening centres for Covid-19 swab testing, on May 3, 2021
PHOTO: Queues seen outside the former Da Qiao Primary School at Ang Mo Kio, one of the regional screening centres for Covid-19 swab testing, on May 3, 2021.
TODAY pic
Picture posted by Malay Mail on Monday, 03 May 2021 at 11:08 pm MYT (Malaysian Time)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHnYro6PVFFQDIir9LLtxkEDmaWbWctWblSLwLu3A7Up7ekFlitcBuDuhSBzRa0Vf-DV3hkOwiq46WFT8uFvJ3vvJaDd_cNWtZfVH_7zDw9u5ZEoFDIVZYO2zDn_svgwVAtLhjggYOQg/s1000/20210503swab_centre.jpeg
https://media2.malaymail.com/uploads/articles/2021/2021-05/20210503swab_centre.jpeg
https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2021/05/03/covid-19-long-queues-waits-of-up-to-five-hours-as-public-testing-starts-for/1971408


Mr Rio, who is yet to be vaccinated, has cancelled meetups with people and restricted his interactions with immediate family since getting the SMS.

Like him, hundreds of others turned up at screening centres yesterday for the government-funded polymerase chain reaction test - offered to those who may have had exposure to the active TTSH cluster.

MOH had said on Friday that while close contacts of the TTSH cluster - at 35 cases as of yesterday - have already been identified through contact tracing, it is pre-emptively mitigating any risk of wider, undetected community transmission.


The TTSH cluster has now grown to 40 cases since a nurse who works in Ward 9D first tested positive on Apr 27.
 

This includes extending free swab tests to patients discharged from - or visitors to - the hospital from April 18; as well as those who had been to or work at public places visited by cases from April 15 to 27.

From yesterday to May 16, they can either walk in to a screening centre or book an appointment at a public health preparedness clinic (PHPC).

Besides the former Da Qiao Primary School, the other centres are at the former Shuqun Secondary School in Jurong East, former Coral Primary in Pasir Ris, and former Bishan Park Secondary in Sin Ming.

Opening hours for the centres are from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm daily.

Mr George Tan, 73, who got in line at the screening centre in Ang Mo Kio at 9am with his wife, said he was shocked to find a snaking queue when they arrived. He estimated that it grew to around 400 people not long after.
 

 Bottled water being given to those queueing for Covid-19 tests at the former Da Qiao Primary School in Ang Mo Kio yesterday.
PHOTO: Bottled water being given to those queueing for Covid-19 tests at the former Da Qiao Primary School in Ang Mo Kio yesterday. By 11am, there were over 300 people in a line stretching 300m away from the facility.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Picture posted by Justin Ong, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times on 04 May 2021 at 5:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViuQ7XekC7gewKIuZR679PL7suLw67VLVoeKDX8N-iR25fbg3AkQyqYyLzeNX7ID12kkO98O8jvqsmGUsX80_kH4cn8gCe29k3cgTxkWm2hbvC5D3VxfM9h8o0zQO3vxQrjyAm4-kBZw/s860/ST_20210504_JOSWAB04_6513930.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2021/05/04/ST_20210504_JOSWAB04_6513930.jpg?itok=o2jkP1z1&timestamp=1620065299
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/long-queues-as-hundreds-turn-up-for-free-swab-tests-at-screening-centres


BARELY MOVED
"The queue barely moved in the two hours we waited," said the retiree, who was warded at TTSH between April 17 and 20.

While he did not receive an SMS urging him to get tested, all his family members who visited him did and several of them encouraged him to do so.

At about 11 am, the couple were told they should return to the centre at 3.45pm, due to the overwhelming number of people there.

When TNP visited the centre at about 3pm, there were about 50 people in the queue outside the school.

Staff could be seen reminding those waiting to maintain safe distancing, while trying to explain the situation to some who were getting increasingly agitated. Some people had to be turned away.

A woman who wanted to be known only as Madam Aslindah, 52, said she had taken a taxi from Hougang to get tested and was initially told to return another day to take the test because of the long queue.


A long queue was formed at the screening centre at the former Da Qiao Primary School, on May 3, 2021.
PHOTO: A long queue was formed at the screening centre at the former Da Qiao Primary School, on May 3, 2021.
The centres are the previous Da Qiao Main Faculty at Ang Mo Kio, former Shuqun Secondary Faculty at Jurong East, former Coral Main at Pasir Ris, and former Bishan Park Secondary at Sin Ming. Staff could be seen reminding those waiting to maintain safe distancing, while trying to explain the situation to some who were getting increasingly agitated. Some people had to be turned away.
Picture posted by Justin Ong, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times on 03 May 2021 at 08:07 pm SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxRRfi34FJJIyEJvIakA6SdJU0zdFT2M8oaierc6Pe0e-r24ydw3RiWKg-PvQbMcMKPX9UUlzOmve9Qu7KWQ-71MbYDc1NBhdRClsD9arevXY6o2264qvIoXMhkdUNC3Qbxz9LUBdGI/s860/ec-daqiao-03052021.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2021/05/03/ec-daqiao-03052021.jpg?itok=DaXqJdoB&timestamp=1620044464
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/long-lines-and-waiting-times-for-free-covid-19-testing-in-wake-of-ttsh-cluster


The housewife, who was later able to get tested, said: "If I come tomorrow, what if the queue is bad also? It is a hot day and it is fasting month."

Similarly lengthy queues were seen in Sin Ming at around noon. Wait times were over two hours long in Jurong East.

At the Pasir Ris centre, as early as 10.30am, staff began asking those queueing to return another day, according to Zaobao.


A long queue at the screening centre at the former Coral Primary School, on 03 May 2021.
PHOTO: A long queue was formed at the screening centre at the former Bishan Park Secondary School, on 03 May 2021.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Picture posted by Justin Ong, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times on 03 May 2021 at 08:07 pm SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbYs9og46qAoAAr0acdiWO1YXQMb5N0y3pfNLK_XKQhDU376d_uw_QeswdFZi0lFnjN_SXosqmMqICGLk87yKJFHWZNndd4q4ybUxv_K3eh8O9cylK5MMbR5Vc57CbgLt-hEFs4J3E54/s1280/ec-bishan-03052021.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2021/05/03/ec-bishan-03052021.jpg
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/long-lines-and-waiting-times-for-free-covid-19-testing-in-wake-of-ttsh-cluster


TNP understands that there were also long waiting times at some of the clinics offering free testing.

MOH has said that individuals may be redirected to their nearest PHPC if screening centres are crowded.

It has also advised that only asymptomatic individuals go to the centres, and that those feeling ill should visit a doctor or PHPC instead.

MOH did not respond to queries from The New Paper by press time.


It has also advised that only asymptomatic individuals go to the centres, and that those feeling ill should visit a doctor or PHPC instead.
PHOTO: It has also advised that only asymptomatic individuals go to the centres, and that those feeling ill should visit a doctor or PHPC instead.
Picture posted by aibtihal alkhatib on  04 August 2020 at 12:30
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0IaZK482Xfrj6KhG6N1hWthyZGdchX5PmrGMmnGRSyUu0jAa6NJgdduWozScFuwB7taM85_aew5Q7tAhtf_2SJoK_73rggir2kV-n3ROFXBEOZKP8O4geKHr6K9SoC9Pe5gEGAFKn-s/s2048/000_1VW7CD.jpg
https://media.voltron.alhurra.com/Drupal/01live-106/2020-08/000_1VW7CD.jpg
https://www.alhurra.com/different-angle/2020/08/04/يوم-أصبحت-رقما?page=40
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/explainer-why-is-singapores-covid-19.html


Things are damn siong inside TTSH, such acts are great la. - Qkumbazoo
PHOTO: Things are damn siong inside TTSH, such acts are great la. - Qkumbazoo
TTSH staff couldn’t even eat in the kopitiam for a time in the hospital because members of the public complained about it. - IcyArmeria, Mature Citizen
It’s not just TTSH, a lot of healthcare staff in other hospitals are also not allowed to eat on hospital grounds and have to dabao back to their work place. - freyari
Picture posted by u/Polared3d on 06 May 2021
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2ijsz3qPnxP3n0Rm6FmZSSdsbO2BK7pvXGu_-0s4pTIltkk17jI6agFZNg6SK2VLEhpaq2cLsc7T7BtY8snV5KeufErB9daAewqOvodnx7zkXKByBPlFClYKoWsRwY6zQ2QVmMv78v8/s960/6vz4lbvn8fx61.png
https://preview.redd.it/6vz4lbvn8fx61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=756c06f1e3a20db7842ef0b6998200c718e1a5d1
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/n5ydpj/aww_stuffd/


COVID Angels Fighting Daily Demons need our supports.
PHOTO: COVID Angels Fighting Daily Demons need our supports.
We would like to argue that the spiritual identity of healthcare workers are connected by unique COVID angels. Being assigned to the COVID-19 emergency, the potential sources of distress, need to obtain superpower as nurses, doctors, and other hospital workers. Their main solid backing is none other than the extended grace of our Creator. Our Lord likes to work in and through us. Hence, ad hoc messages in times of distress might reinforce the positive effect of coping mechanisms. I am just their small encouragement, but together with you can be a different story.
Picture posted by padreshop.com - Crystal Angel
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZScaXEYwUVVApKiMWRhwKDSPBqQ0t_KY73A9E7N5ygbVHaSOe0KdNfBXhOutaCapmYrILNQTrJtuq_K11dZ8mSeJLJmoSb-9oPw7CanGTOLtaOmGTm2bxfeFiEKHQ1VQ4LUeTivN1KY/s677/c9e98c40b1a299db3cd01610d95f1337.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c9/e9/8c/c9e98c40b1a299db3cd01610d95f1337.jpg
https://shopen.padreshop.com/content?c=crystal%20wings&id=35

By Samuel Devaraj, The New Paper, 04 May 2021 at 06:00 am
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
 
 
Reference
[1] Samuel Devaraj, The New Paper, Long queues at screening centres leave some frustrated, posted on 04 May 2021 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/long-queues-screening-centres-leave-some-frustrated


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