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There is a possibility of Covid-19 infections in two HDB blocks in Hougang: Block 501 and 507, Hougang Ave 8.

Viral fragments in sewage

In a Facebook post this morning (June 1), Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Gerald Giam said that the authorities have detected viral fragments in the sewage. He said:

"We are actually fortunate that the authorities have detected viral fragments in the sewage so that early action can be taken to swab every resident and identify the source of infection."

The tests for residents of both blocks will be conducted at the void deck of Blk 507, today (June 1, 2021), Giam said in a Facebook post last night (May 31).

Letters were distributed door-to-door at these two blocks to inform residents about the process, Giam said.

Aljunied-Hougang Town Council cleaners have been activated to conduct an extra round of cleaning of the blocks, followed by a wipe down with disinfectant.

Anti-microbial coating has also been applied to all the lift buttons on these blocks to reduce the chance of infection from touching lift buttons.

Previously, residents at another block in Hougang, block 506, had to be swabbed after some residents of the 12-storey block tested positive for Covid-19.

The mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for 405 residents and visitors has concluded on May 22.

On May 23, the health ministry announced that 405 individuals have been tested, with 403 found negative and two positive.

Fragments of Covid-19 found in wastewater previously

The Ministry of Health said on May 31 that wastewater testing has also detected viral fragments at Block 745 Yishun Street 72, and residents there have been required to undergo a Covid-19 test on June 1 and June 2.

In March this year, Covid-19 viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was found in the wastewater of a hostel block at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

All residents in the affected apartments had to undergo a swab test as a precautionary measure.

Top photo via Gerald Giam/FB.