Singapore has reported a record-high 728 daily new Covid-19 cases on April 16.
In total, Singapore currently has 4,427 cases.
With the steep increase in Covid-19 cases, mostly coming from foreign workers' dormitories, the country is preparing more spaces to house patients who do not require hospital care to free up those resources.
Besides Singapore Expo, the government has also created community care facilities at army camps, vacant HDB car parks, and Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC).
Changi Exhibition Centre getting ready to house Covid-19 patients
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared on Facebook several images of Changi Exhibition Centre being converted into a community care facility to house Covid-19 patients who are recovering from the disease or only show mild symptoms.
Photos show the 33,000m² indoor exhibition hall at CEC, an Airshow site, having been furnished with basic furniture.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the repurposed indoor area can house up to 2,800 patients.
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
In his post, Teo also thanked public officers and various industry partners for their hard work to get the space ready.
"Many thanks to all our public officers and private and public sector partners from the exhibition, hospitality, dormitory & medical sectors, and MINDEF-affiliated organisations, SAFRA, NSRCC and SAF clubs and associations for stepping up & working tirelessly over the past 10 days to prepare the CEC to look after our patients"
Here's an aerial view of the living quarters:
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
There's a cupboard, power plug and fan near each bed as well.
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
Every patient will also receive a welfare pack, which includes essential items such as face masks, thermometer, toilet paper and detergent powder.
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
To ensure the safety of the staff caring for the patients at CEC, some robots have been deployed, such as this BeamPro Telepresence Robot that allows staff to communicate with the patients and attend to their needs.
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
The ST Engineering’s STrobo Tug robots will also be used to transport prepared meals to the patients.
Via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook.
Top photos via Teo Chee Hean's Facebook