A 62-year-old male resident in Acacia Home has been confirmed with Covid-19.

According to a statement by Sathya Sai Social Services (4S), the resident was referred to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on Apr. 25, after he reported feeling unwell.

He was confirmed with he virus on the same day.

4S manages Acacia Home within the purview of the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Welfare home has 125 residents

The welfare home at 30 Admiralty Street was set up to support elderly destitute men by reintegrating them back into society through job placement and housing arrangements, CNA previously reported.

While full capacity of Acacia home is 250 residents, it currently has 125 under its roof.

4S revealed that the affected resident been residing in the welfare home since September 2017.

All staff and residents being tested for Covid-19

A separate statement by MSF said that the welfare home will not take in new residents for the time being.

Contact tracing is ongoing for the case, and a thorough cleaning and disinfection of its premises has been carried out.

The health of both staff and residents are being closely monitored and all staff and residents of Acacia Home are being tested for Covid-19.

Precautionary measures implemented at Acacia Home

According to MSF and 4S, the welfare home has implemented the following precautionary measures:

• Restriction of visitors
• Suspension of large group and communal activities, including residents' outings and home leave
• Wearing of masks by staff since Apr. 15, 2020
• Health checks and twice-daily temperature screening for all staff and residents
• Limited social and physical interaction amongst the staff
• Staggered meal times and safe distancing measures for residents

These measures were in line with MSF’s advisories for all residential and community-based facilities.

MSF is working closely with the management, staff, and residents of Acacia Home to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

At the same time, MSF has asked that high standards of personal and environmental hygiene be observed in residential and community-based facilities.

This includes frequent washing of hands with soap, especially before the preparation and consumption of meals, after visiting the toilet or after coughing or sneezing.

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