A total of eight staff members of Changi General Hospital (CGH) tested positive for Covid-19 infection, the hospital updated in a media release on June 28.

Among the eight cases, one remains an unlinked case.

CGH said that measures have been stepped up since the first staff was confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 and the hospital has actively implemented containment measures to ensure the safety of both patients, visitors and staff.

Cases among staff detected through active surveillance

CGH added that the eight cases detected among CGH staff was a result of proactive testing.

The hospital has been proactively conducting Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) for its staff since May 2021, the statement wrote.

The first staff member that was tested positive for Covid-19 is a porter who was confirmed to have tested positive on June 23. The porter was asymptomatic and is fully vaccinated.

Subsequently, his close contacts were swabbed which led to the detection of seven other cases.

Of these seven cases, six are porters and one is a healthcare assistant.

The 69-year-old healthcare assistant however only received her first dose of vaccine on June 23.

On June 28, there were no new cases reported from CGH. The cluster's case count remains at 10.

Stepped up measures taken

CGH said that active contact tracing and ongoing surveillance swab tests are still in progress.

Staff members who have been identified as close contacts have been placed on quarantine orders or on leave of absence.

The hospital has also stepped up additional swab tests for its relevant staff. Patient-fronting staff who are already on RRT have also undergone another round of surveillance swab tests.

More than 6,000 swab tests for staff have been conducted over the past week. The swab test results are negative to date.

The hospital is also working closely with the Ministry of Health and epidemiological investigations are ongoing for the positive cases.

Committed to caring patients

CGH assured that the hospital remains committed to caring for their patients and inpatients who are possible contacts of the staff cases have undergone additional swab tests.

They are also on "heightened clinical surveillance" of all inpatients who may have develop fever or acute respiratory infection.

All test results are negative so far.

Patients identified as contacts of confirmed cases may be placed in isolation while they continue to recuperate under quarantine. No visitors are allowed for these patients until further notice in the interest of their safety.

CGH did not reveal the number of inpatients isolated or the specific wards affected.

The visitation guidelines remain at one pre-registered visitor for the duration of their admission and one visit by the visitor each day, CGH said.

Patients can also continue with their outpatient appointments at CGH.

The hospital is safe for clinical appointment and visitation, with the adherence of existing visitation guidelines, CGH assured.

The hospital will monitor the situation and review and reinforce current measures when necessary.

The Chief Executive Officer of CGH, Ng Wai Hoe thanks patients and visitors for their support and understanding. He said:

“Our priority is the safety of our patients and colleagues, and immediate actions have been taken to ensure their well-being and minimise the risk of infection. Our affected colleagues are currently generally well or with mild symptoms and we will continue to support and care for them.

“We have also mobilised our patient relations and peer support officers to provide support to our patients and staff respectively, and will continue to care for all our patients. With the virus now being more transmissible than before, we seek the understanding from patients and visitors on these necessary measures to keep them and our staff safe, and thank them for their support during this difficult time.”

Top photo via CGH/Facebook

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