Of the 11,107 patients who now have the virus, just 1,229 are still warded in acute hospitals as of 24 Apr 2020
By Rei Kurohi, The Straits Times, 25 Apr 2020
Singapore has changed the dynamics of its care of COVID-19 patients by treating nine in 10 of them in community facilities instead of acute hospitals.
The move not only differentiates those with mild illnesses from others with life-threatening conditions, but also saves the hospitals from being deluged.
Community facilities now house 9,878 patients - out of the 11,107 current patients. This means just 1,229 patients are still warded in acute hospitals, including 24 in critical condition.
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert, said the strategy of moving patients who are well out of hospitals has been applied for some time, even before the first isolation facility became operational on March 24.
Prof Hsu, who leads the infectious diseases programme at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said placing these patients in isolation facilities will prevent acute hospital beds from being unnecessarily filled by relatively well COVID-19 patients who would otherwise be discharged only when doctors are certain that they are no longer able to infect others.
"We have learnt that for many patients, particularly those who are young and have no chronic medical conditions, COVID-19 is no worse than an ordinary flu," he said.
"They would not have required immediate hospitalisation were it not for the need to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus to their families and close contacts."
Singapore currently has three community isolation facilities: the D'Resort NTUC chalet in Pasir Ris, which can hold 500 people; Singapore Expo, which has two operational halls that can hold 950 people, with another four halls on the way; and Changi Exhibition Centre, which can hold 2,800 people. A number of private hospitals and community hospitals, such as Concord International Hospital and Bright Vision Hospital, are also counted as community facilities.
With 897 new cases yesterday, 24 April, Singapore now has 12,075 confirmed cases altogether.
Twelve have died of complications due to COVID-19 and 952 have fully recovered and been discharged. Four have died from other causes.
Just a week before, on April 17, the total number of cases was 5,050.
The official tally for patients who are still hospitalised fell significantly on Thursday after the Ministry of Health (MOH) reclassified those housed in community facilities with mild symptoms in the same category as those who are clinically well. Previously, these patients were counted together with those warded in acute hospitals.
Before the reclassification, MOH had said on Wednesday that there were 4,234 patients still in hospital and another 4,999 clinically well cases at community facilities.
MOH said on Thursday, as it revised the figures for patients in hospitals and community facilities to 1,368 and 8,874 respectively, that this was done to more accurately reflect where patients are being cared for.
Foreign workers living in dormitories made up 853 of the new cases yesterday, 24 April. There were another 19 cases involving workers not living in dorms and 25 cases in the general community, comprising 13 Singaporeans and permanent residents and 12 work pass holders.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday that people who disregard safe distancing measures are putting not just themselves but also their families at risk of catching COVID-19. He also warned that those who abuse enforcement officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He said: "Whether you are old or young, you should be staying home."
By Rei Kurohi, The Straits Times, 25 Apr 2020
Singapore has changed the dynamics of its care of COVID-19 patients by treating nine in 10 of them in community facilities instead of acute hospitals.
The move not only differentiates those with mild illnesses from others with life-threatening conditions, but also saves the hospitals from being deluged.
Community facilities now house 9,878 patients - out of the 11,107 current patients. This means just 1,229 patients are still warded in acute hospitals, including 24 in critical condition.
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert, said the strategy of moving patients who are well out of hospitals has been applied for some time, even before the first isolation facility became operational on March 24.
Prof Hsu, who leads the infectious diseases programme at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said placing these patients in isolation facilities will prevent acute hospital beds from being unnecessarily filled by relatively well COVID-19 patients who would otherwise be discharged only when doctors are certain that they are no longer able to infect others.
"We have learnt that for many patients, particularly those who are young and have no chronic medical conditions, COVID-19 is no worse than an ordinary flu," he said.
"They would not have required immediate hospitalisation were it not for the need to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus to their families and close contacts."
Singapore currently has three community isolation facilities: the D'Resort NTUC chalet in Pasir Ris, which can hold 500 people; Singapore Expo, which has two operational halls that can hold 950 people, with another four halls on the way; and Changi Exhibition Centre, which can hold 2,800 people. A number of private hospitals and community hospitals, such as Concord International Hospital and Bright Vision Hospital, are also counted as community facilities.
With 897 new cases yesterday, 24 April, Singapore now has 12,075 confirmed cases altogether.
Twelve have died of complications due to COVID-19 and 952 have fully recovered and been discharged. Four have died from other causes.
Just a week before, on April 17, the total number of cases was 5,050.
The official tally for patients who are still hospitalised fell significantly on Thursday after the Ministry of Health (MOH) reclassified those housed in community facilities with mild symptoms in the same category as those who are clinically well. Previously, these patients were counted together with those warded in acute hospitals.
Before the reclassification, MOH had said on Wednesday that there were 4,234 patients still in hospital and another 4,999 clinically well cases at community facilities.
MOH said on Thursday, as it revised the figures for patients in hospitals and community facilities to 1,368 and 8,874 respectively, that this was done to more accurately reflect where patients are being cared for.
Foreign workers living in dormitories made up 853 of the new cases yesterday, 24 April. There were another 19 cases involving workers not living in dorms and 25 cases in the general community, comprising 13 Singaporeans and permanent residents and 12 work pass holders.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday that people who disregard safe distancing measures are putting not just themselves but also their families at risk of catching COVID-19. He also warned that those who abuse enforcement officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He said: "Whether you are old or young, you should be staying home."
Mega COVID-19 facility being built at Tanjong Pagar Terminal to house up to 15,000 people
Up to 15,000 patients or foreign workers could be housed there and it is part of a broader plan to meet future demand
By Tee Zhuo, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
A large facility being set up at Tanjong Pagar Terminal could house up to 15,000 COVID-19 patients or foreign workers, as the number of coronavirus cases in Singapore continues to increase, The Straits Times has learnt.
The structure being erected is part of a "broader plan" to ensure adequate space to meet future demand, a Ministry of National Development spokesman told The Straits Times yesterday.
This includes facilities for workers who are suspected COVID-19 cases, or are infected, recovering or have fully recovered.
Over the last few days, regular visits to the site have shown large marquees being set up with cherry pickers in the area. There are also multiple rows of cars.
Trucks carrying building materials could also be seen entering the terminal, which has been vacant since port operations were relocated to Pasir Panjang Terminal.
As of Wednesday, at least five or six rows of tents had already been set up at the terminal.
Much of the terminal's operations had been moved out as early as 2017, as part of plans for a future mega port.
Over the last few weeks, the Government has been preparing various locations to house healthy foreign workers or to convert them into community isolation sites.
The community facilities are meant to house recovering COVID-19 patients and those with milder symptoms, and include Singapore Expo, D'Resort NTUC in Pasir Ris and Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC). D'Resort was the first isolation facility and can take up to 500 people.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said on April 14 that the two halls at Singapore Expo currently used to house coronavirus patients have a total capacity of about 950, and that four other halls at the building will open progressively.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared in a Facebook post on April 16 that the CEC was being converted. The 33,000 sq m space will be able to accommodate up to 2,800 patients.
About 4,500 bedding items such as sheets and mattresses, ordered by Temasek Foundation, have been delivered to Singapore from Indonesia to cater for the community isolation facilities.
The authorities are also thinning out the packed dormitories where foreign workers reside, in order to better manage the situation.
Some 10,000 healthy foreign workers in essential services, living in purpose-built dormitories, have been moved into alternative living areas, such as military camps, floating hotels and vacant Housing Board blocks.
Close to 700 foreign workers are now being housed temporarily at Home Team Academy and Civil Defence Academy dormitory blocks.
Among the HDB blocks are four in Taman Jurong, known as the "diamond blocks". The blocks, 63 to 66 Yung Kuang Road, are 21 storeys each and have 456 units in total.
The National Development Ministry has also said that 21 HDB blocks in Bukit Merah were being refurbished to house such workers. The flats were vacated in 2018 but have not yet been demolished.
About 1,300 foreign workers have been gradually moved to Jurong Camp II and Bedok Camp II - two Singapore Armed Forces camps.
Some foreign workers have also been moved to floating accommodation facilities berthed at Tanjong Pagar Terminal this month. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said on April 13 that the first batch of 31 healthy foreign workers were moved into one of three such facilities.
A total of about 1,300 workers will be moved there in batches. Each room will have two to three people to minimise interaction.
Cruise ships are also being considered to house the workers. One such ship is the SuperStar Gemini, currently berthed at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore near the Tanjong Pagar Terminal site.
Another ship is SuperStar Aquarius. Both are mid-sized cruise ships operated by Genting Cruise Lines.
The Government will check the ships for factors such as ventilation systems, security protocols and infection control measures.
As at noon yesterday, Singapore had reported a total of 11,178 COVID-19 infections, with the bulk of the cases being foreign workers staying in dormitories.
Changi Exhibition Centre now a COVID-19 isolation facility, with robots serving meals
By Timothy Goh, The Straits Times, 27 Apr 2020
The Changi Exhibition Centre, home of the Singapore Airshow, received its first batch of COVID-19 patients on Saturday.
About 50 patients with mild symptoms are now at the community isolation facility, with their meals served by robots.
The facility's large indoor space of 33,000 sq m allows it to house about 2,700 patients.
This is more than five times that of the first community isolation facility at D'Resort NTUC in Pasir Ris.
It has the capacity to expand further if necessary, tapping another 75,000 sq m of outdoor space, the facility's executive committee said during a tour of the site last Friday.
The facility is managed by the Mandarin Oriental Singapore hotel, and has 52 jet blowers to ensure the area remains well ventilated.
The patients' living quarters are equipped with Wi-Fi access, fans, beds and storage cabinets.
Welcome packs, which include essentials such as hand sanitiser, detergent and toiletries, are distributed to each patient.
A Telegram channel called Second Home has also been created, broadcasting messages in languages such as Bengali, Tamil, Mandarin and English.
To boost morale, volunteers from the Singapore Indian Association send words of encouragement over the channel.
Daily exercise programmes are also sent through the channel.
Singapore Discovery Centre executive director Joseph Tan, who is on the facility's infrastructure committee, said: "We wanted to make sure that the residents who are staying here would be as comfortable as they could possibly be."
The site was converted to its current state in less than three weeks, thanks to the combined efforts of nine organisations affiliated with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), as well as the Dormitory Association of Singapore, consultancy company Surbana Jurong, and Experia Events, which provided the venue.
Four remote-controlled robots have been deployed in the facility, allowing patients to engage virtually with volunteers who can help answer questions in their language and organise welfare activities.
Patients are provided with three halal meals a day from various ethnic cuisines, which are distributed by robots from ST Engineering to designated collection points.
Machines around the facility allow patients to check their blood pressure and pulse on their own thrice daily, with a medical team monitoring the results.
All patients are also given a packet of basic medication such as Panadol, as well as a thermometer.
There are six tele-consultation stations, where patients can consult a doctor 24/7 with the help of a nurse who is stationed there.
More serious cases will be referred to the facility's medical centre for face-to-face consultations, and emergency cases can be evacuated to a nearby hospital if necessary.
Swabbing stations are also located in the facility, allowing patients to be tested and cleared before being discharged.
Putting the entire facility together in such a short period of time was no easy task.
Mr Tan Chong Boon, general manager of The Chevrons, one of the nine MINDEF-affiliated organisations, said that his team worked seven days a week from the start of the project to get the venue ready for the first batch of patients.
"We are motivated because we know that we are doing it for a good cause," said Mr Tan, who is on the facility's operations committee.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that these community facilities allow the hospitals to focus on the more serious cases, and thanked those who made it happen.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to improvise and come up with innovative, workable solutions on the ground," he said. "It is a constant trial and error, to find the best way to help the most people in the shortest time."
Up to 15,000 patients or foreign workers could be housed there and it is part of a broader plan to meet future demand
By Tee Zhuo, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
A large facility being set up at Tanjong Pagar Terminal could house up to 15,000 COVID-19 patients or foreign workers, as the number of coronavirus cases in Singapore continues to increase, The Straits Times has learnt.
The structure being erected is part of a "broader plan" to ensure adequate space to meet future demand, a Ministry of National Development spokesman told The Straits Times yesterday.
This includes facilities for workers who are suspected COVID-19 cases, or are infected, recovering or have fully recovered.
Over the last few days, regular visits to the site have shown large marquees being set up with cherry pickers in the area. There are also multiple rows of cars.
Trucks carrying building materials could also be seen entering the terminal, which has been vacant since port operations were relocated to Pasir Panjang Terminal.
As of Wednesday, at least five or six rows of tents had already been set up at the terminal.
Much of the terminal's operations had been moved out as early as 2017, as part of plans for a future mega port.
Over the last few weeks, the Government has been preparing various locations to house healthy foreign workers or to convert them into community isolation sites.
The community facilities are meant to house recovering COVID-19 patients and those with milder symptoms, and include Singapore Expo, D'Resort NTUC in Pasir Ris and Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC). D'Resort was the first isolation facility and can take up to 500 people.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said on April 14 that the two halls at Singapore Expo currently used to house coronavirus patients have a total capacity of about 950, and that four other halls at the building will open progressively.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared in a Facebook post on April 16 that the CEC was being converted. The 33,000 sq m space will be able to accommodate up to 2,800 patients.
About 4,500 bedding items such as sheets and mattresses, ordered by Temasek Foundation, have been delivered to Singapore from Indonesia to cater for the community isolation facilities.
The authorities are also thinning out the packed dormitories where foreign workers reside, in order to better manage the situation.
Some 10,000 healthy foreign workers in essential services, living in purpose-built dormitories, have been moved into alternative living areas, such as military camps, floating hotels and vacant Housing Board blocks.
Close to 700 foreign workers are now being housed temporarily at Home Team Academy and Civil Defence Academy dormitory blocks.
Among the HDB blocks are four in Taman Jurong, known as the "diamond blocks". The blocks, 63 to 66 Yung Kuang Road, are 21 storeys each and have 456 units in total.
The National Development Ministry has also said that 21 HDB blocks in Bukit Merah were being refurbished to house such workers. The flats were vacated in 2018 but have not yet been demolished.
About 1,300 foreign workers have been gradually moved to Jurong Camp II and Bedok Camp II - two Singapore Armed Forces camps.
Some foreign workers have also been moved to floating accommodation facilities berthed at Tanjong Pagar Terminal this month. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said on April 13 that the first batch of 31 healthy foreign workers were moved into one of three such facilities.
A total of about 1,300 workers will be moved there in batches. Each room will have two to three people to minimise interaction.
Cruise ships are also being considered to house the workers. One such ship is the SuperStar Gemini, currently berthed at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore near the Tanjong Pagar Terminal site.
Another ship is SuperStar Aquarius. Both are mid-sized cruise ships operated by Genting Cruise Lines.
The Government will check the ships for factors such as ventilation systems, security protocols and infection control measures.
As at noon yesterday, Singapore had reported a total of 11,178 COVID-19 infections, with the bulk of the cases being foreign workers staying in dormitories.
Changi Exhibition Centre now a COVID-19 isolation facility, with robots serving meals
By Timothy Goh, The Straits Times, 27 Apr 2020
The Changi Exhibition Centre, home of the Singapore Airshow, received its first batch of COVID-19 patients on Saturday.
About 50 patients with mild symptoms are now at the community isolation facility, with their meals served by robots.
The facility's large indoor space of 33,000 sq m allows it to house about 2,700 patients.
This is more than five times that of the first community isolation facility at D'Resort NTUC in Pasir Ris.
It has the capacity to expand further if necessary, tapping another 75,000 sq m of outdoor space, the facility's executive committee said during a tour of the site last Friday.
The facility is managed by the Mandarin Oriental Singapore hotel, and has 52 jet blowers to ensure the area remains well ventilated.
The patients' living quarters are equipped with Wi-Fi access, fans, beds and storage cabinets.
Welcome packs, which include essentials such as hand sanitiser, detergent and toiletries, are distributed to each patient.
A Telegram channel called Second Home has also been created, broadcasting messages in languages such as Bengali, Tamil, Mandarin and English.
To boost morale, volunteers from the Singapore Indian Association send words of encouragement over the channel.
Daily exercise programmes are also sent through the channel.
Singapore Discovery Centre executive director Joseph Tan, who is on the facility's infrastructure committee, said: "We wanted to make sure that the residents who are staying here would be as comfortable as they could possibly be."
The site was converted to its current state in less than three weeks, thanks to the combined efforts of nine organisations affiliated with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), as well as the Dormitory Association of Singapore, consultancy company Surbana Jurong, and Experia Events, which provided the venue.
Four remote-controlled robots have been deployed in the facility, allowing patients to engage virtually with volunteers who can help answer questions in their language and organise welfare activities.
Patients are provided with three halal meals a day from various ethnic cuisines, which are distributed by robots from ST Engineering to designated collection points.
Machines around the facility allow patients to check their blood pressure and pulse on their own thrice daily, with a medical team monitoring the results.
All patients are also given a packet of basic medication such as Panadol, as well as a thermometer.
There are six tele-consultation stations, where patients can consult a doctor 24/7 with the help of a nurse who is stationed there.
More serious cases will be referred to the facility's medical centre for face-to-face consultations, and emergency cases can be evacuated to a nearby hospital if necessary.
Swabbing stations are also located in the facility, allowing patients to be tested and cleared before being discharged.
Putting the entire facility together in such a short period of time was no easy task.
Mr Tan Chong Boon, general manager of The Chevrons, one of the nine MINDEF-affiliated organisations, said that his team worked seven days a week from the start of the project to get the venue ready for the first batch of patients.
"We are motivated because we know that we are doing it for a good cause," said Mr Tan, who is on the facility's operations committee.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that these community facilities allow the hospitals to focus on the more serious cases, and thanked those who made it happen.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to improvise and come up with innovative, workable solutions on the ground," he said. "It is a constant trial and error, to find the best way to help the most people in the shortest time."
3,000 COVID-19 patients housed at six community recovery facilities in SAF camps
By Lim Min Zhang, The Straits Times, 6 May 2020
Last month, Colonel Chua Jin Kiat had about two weeks to set up community recovery facilities (CRFs) in military camps for recovering COVID-19 patients as the Singapore Armed Forces was roped in to help in the national fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
About 600 servicemen under his charge were involved in the preparation, such as building tentage, setting up facilities like dining areas and portable toilets, and ensuring patients are medically screened and briefed on arrival.
Six CRFs - at Amoy Quee, Bedok, Jurong, Guillemard, Lim Chu Kang and Tanjong Gul camps - started taking in patients on April 28. The latter three camps are vacant, while the others have standalone accommodation facilities separated from the rest of the camp, with no operations there.
About 3,000 foreign workers are being housed at the six CRFs so far, out of a total capacity of about 5,300.
The regular servicemen who helped in this effort do not do it as part of their usual day jobs, said Col Chua, 41, who is commander of the task force in charge of SAF-managed CRFs. He added that they have put in long hours and much effort into running these places.
"All the commanders in the camps tell me that they don't want to treat the patients like sheep and just move them from point to point. They have poured a lot of their own heart and passion into running these places," he said, noting that the workers have also shown gratitude for the way they have been treated.
Col Chua, who is also commander of the 9 Division and Chief Infantry Officer, was speaking to reporters in a teleconference on Wednesday (May 6).
CRFs are meant for patients who remain well at the end of their 14th day of illness and who do not require further medical care.
The authorities had announced on April 28 that more than 10,000 bed spaces will be available at such facilities by the end of June, including at SAF camps.
Such facilities are part of a strategy to provide differentiated care to COVID-19 patients with different needs, alongside hospitals and community care facilities (CCFs). CCFs are meant for those with mild or symptoms.
Col Chua said that they took the patients' needs into account when designing the facilities. For instance, open spaces such as at fields were cordoned off for patients' use, so they can head there for a breather and to stretch their legs. Wi-Fi access was also provided, and each bed has its own charging point.
Areas have also been allocated for the patients to wash and dry their clothes. Mobile vendors have also been engaged to sell things that the patients need out of their vans, for instance, clothes, towels and soft drinks.
On safety measures, Col Chua said that three different zones are set up in each CRF - red, yellow, and green - and staff need to be geared up differently according to the requirements in each zone.
For instance, in red zones, where the patients spend most of their time, face shields, masks, gloves, hair nets and gowns are mandatory. In green zones, which patients do not access, only a face mask is required.
About 1,300 healthy foreign workers staying in dormitories were temporarily housed in Bedok Camp II and Jurong Camp II last month, and have since moved out, said Col Chua.
SAF will be handing over management of the CRFs to facility managers from the private sector in the next two to three weeks as the regular servicemen will be needed back at their primary jobs "at some point in time", he added.
The SAF servicemen involved come not just from the headquarters of 9 Division, but also from the guards formation, the Combat Service Support Command and Army Medical Services, which provides doctors as part of roving teams giving basic medical care.
Supervision will continue to ensure that the managers know how to run the facilities, Col Chua said.
While there have been some complaints about food due to the large number that has to be catered for, Col Chua said that overall feedback has been "very positive" and there is a general sense that Singapore "is a country that cares".
Throughout the process, from the time patients fall sick, "there's been nothing but care and concern from everybody", he said.
"And that's a reflection not just on the SAF, but also I think the whole of government and everyone who has played a part in this whole chain in getting them to recovery," said Col Chua.
"I would say that, as a participant of this effort, I am truly very proud of what we have done. And I think my guys on the ground will feel it even more. Because the 'thank you' is said to them face to face."
By Lim Min Zhang, The Straits Times, 6 May 2020
Last month, Colonel Chua Jin Kiat had about two weeks to set up community recovery facilities (CRFs) in military camps for recovering COVID-19 patients as the Singapore Armed Forces was roped in to help in the national fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
About 600 servicemen under his charge were involved in the preparation, such as building tentage, setting up facilities like dining areas and portable toilets, and ensuring patients are medically screened and briefed on arrival.
Six CRFs - at Amoy Quee, Bedok, Jurong, Guillemard, Lim Chu Kang and Tanjong Gul camps - started taking in patients on April 28. The latter three camps are vacant, while the others have standalone accommodation facilities separated from the rest of the camp, with no operations there.
About 3,000 foreign workers are being housed at the six CRFs so far, out of a total capacity of about 5,300.
The regular servicemen who helped in this effort do not do it as part of their usual day jobs, said Col Chua, 41, who is commander of the task force in charge of SAF-managed CRFs. He added that they have put in long hours and much effort into running these places.
"All the commanders in the camps tell me that they don't want to treat the patients like sheep and just move them from point to point. They have poured a lot of their own heart and passion into running these places," he said, noting that the workers have also shown gratitude for the way they have been treated.
Col Chua, who is also commander of the 9 Division and Chief Infantry Officer, was speaking to reporters in a teleconference on Wednesday (May 6).
CRFs are meant for patients who remain well at the end of their 14th day of illness and who do not require further medical care.
The authorities had announced on April 28 that more than 10,000 bed spaces will be available at such facilities by the end of June, including at SAF camps.
Such facilities are part of a strategy to provide differentiated care to COVID-19 patients with different needs, alongside hospitals and community care facilities (CCFs). CCFs are meant for those with mild or symptoms.
Col Chua said that they took the patients' needs into account when designing the facilities. For instance, open spaces such as at fields were cordoned off for patients' use, so they can head there for a breather and to stretch their legs. Wi-Fi access was also provided, and each bed has its own charging point.
Areas have also been allocated for the patients to wash and dry their clothes. Mobile vendors have also been engaged to sell things that the patients need out of their vans, for instance, clothes, towels and soft drinks.
On safety measures, Col Chua said that three different zones are set up in each CRF - red, yellow, and green - and staff need to be geared up differently according to the requirements in each zone.
For instance, in red zones, where the patients spend most of their time, face shields, masks, gloves, hair nets and gowns are mandatory. In green zones, which patients do not access, only a face mask is required.
About 1,300 healthy foreign workers staying in dormitories were temporarily housed in Bedok Camp II and Jurong Camp II last month, and have since moved out, said Col Chua.
SAF will be handing over management of the CRFs to facility managers from the private sector in the next two to three weeks as the regular servicemen will be needed back at their primary jobs "at some point in time", he added.
The SAF servicemen involved come not just from the headquarters of 9 Division, but also from the guards formation, the Combat Service Support Command and Army Medical Services, which provides doctors as part of roving teams giving basic medical care.
Supervision will continue to ensure that the managers know how to run the facilities, Col Chua said.
While there have been some complaints about food due to the large number that has to be catered for, Col Chua said that overall feedback has been "very positive" and there is a general sense that Singapore "is a country that cares".
Throughout the process, from the time patients fall sick, "there's been nothing but care and concern from everybody", he said.
"And that's a reflection not just on the SAF, but also I think the whole of government and everyone who has played a part in this whole chain in getting them to recovery," said Col Chua.
"I would say that, as a participant of this effort, I am truly very proud of what we have done. And I think my guys on the ground will feel it even more. Because the 'thank you' is said to them face to face."
COVID-19 facility at Tanjong Pagar Terminal begins receiving workers
By Malavika Menon, The Straits Times, 9 May 2020
A facility built at Tanjong Pagar Terminal to house patients or foreign workers with the coronavirus started receiving workers on Tuesday (May 5).
When The Straits Times visited the site on Saturday, workers could be seen donning masks and settling in.
The Ministry of National Development said the partially completed tentage at the terminal can house up to 3,500 people.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared pictures of the facility which he said is being prepared to house patients who are currently recovering or who have recovered from COVID-19.
The facility at the terminal includes tentage with beds and floating workers' accommodation facilities, going by photos posted by Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security. He also noted that the tents have coolers in every room and a fan for every patient.
The tentage and floating accommodations are for step-down care facilities, with proper social distancing in place, he said.
It means that COVID-19 patients from hospitals who are recovering or have mild symptoms can be transferred to Tanjong Pagar Terminal to be cared for, alongside other community isolation facilities such as Changi Exhibition Centre and the Singapore Expo.
This is supposed to help free up hospital facilities for more serious cases, even as Singapore reports more confirmed COVID-19 cases daily, especially among foreign workers from dormitories due to extensive testing.
Referring to the tents and floating accommodations at Tanjong Pagar Terminal, Mr Teo thanked public agencies and private sector partners, noting that they "worked tirelessly to construct and prepare these sites in a matter of weeks, particularly the tentage facilities".
He is currently advising the multi-ministry task force on handling the COVID-19 situation in foreign worker dormitories.
Other locations have recently been identified as temporary sites to house healthy foreign workers in essential services too.
This includes the former Nexus International School in 201 Ulu Pandan Road.
The site, which can house up to 1,000 people, will be refurbished for essential workers this month. The workers are expected to move in by mid-June.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Christopher de Souza assured residents that the site would be self-contained, with all meals and amenities provided on site.
He also said that steps would be taken to ensure the well-being and safety of the workers while simultaneously minimising the disruption to residents living close to the facility.
* Surbana Jurong graft allegations: Accusations of corruption scurrilous, say MOH, MND
Temasek and linked companies charging for direct expenditure at cost, or below cost
Manpower minister Josephine Teo sends lawyers' letters to 2 people in Singapore seeking retraction & apology
By Grace Ho, The Straits Times, 21 May 2020
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has said allegations of profiteering and corruption by her husband and her in relation to the development of the community care facility (CCF) by Surbana Jurong at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre are "untrue, scurrilous and completely baseless".
A statement issued yesterday by law firm Allen & Gledhill on her behalf said Surbana Jurong dealt directly with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of National Development (MND) on the projects.
"Neither my spouse nor I have any involvement with the commissioning of these projects or the monetary transactions," she said.
Mrs Teo was responding to several posts on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp that alleged conflicts of interest in Surbana Jurong's development of the Singapore Expo facilities.
One post concerned how Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive for Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong.
Other posts questioned how the decision to involve Surbana Jurong was made, adding that Members of Parliament Desmond Choo and Yaacob Ibrahim are Surbana Jurong board members.
Mrs Teo's statement also noted a statement issued on Tuesday by Surbana Jurong that said: "In service of the community, we will continue to provide our expertise to projects related to managing the COVID-19 crisis on a cost-recovery basis."
Accusations of profiteering and corruption are, therefore, unfounded, the minister said.
Her lawyers have also issued letters of demand to two people who made the allegations, requiring them to withdraw them. The duo are activist Jolovan Wham and a person named Donald Liew.
Mrs Teo said: "I understand that I am legally entitled to substantial damages for these serious and baseless allegations.
"However, I do not intend to pursue the matter further, or to claim damages, if the allegations are publicly withdrawn, and apologies given. This has been made clear in my lawyers' letters."
The letters to the two people also require them to make a donation of $1,000 each to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund.
Separately, a joint statement by the Health and National Development ministries yesterday said the Government had asked Singapore investment company Temasek to help set up a CCF for those with mild or no symptoms of COVID-19, and for recovering patients.
This was because Temasek had the resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries.
The ministries said Temasek agreed to assist, and agreed that the work done by Temasek and its linked companies would be on a cost-recovery basis and, in some cases, below cost. "There will be no profit made by Temasek and its linked companies for the work done."
Temasek had asked other companies, including PSA International, Singapore Technologies Engineering and Sheares Healthcare to help. External vendors such as Parkway Pantai, Resorts World Sentosa and Certis were also roped in.
Reiterating Mrs Teo's point, the statement added that she and the Manpower Ministry were not involved in the selection of Surbana Jurong or the process of managing the project costs.
It was Temasek that had identified the Singapore Expo as a suitable site and asked Surbana Jurong to convert it into Singapore's first large-scale CCF, said the two ministries yesterday.
They also said MOH worked with Temasek and the other entities on healthcare requirements for the site. Once these were confirmed, MND liaised with the entities on payments for developing the CCF.
"This is because MND has also been liaising with other parties to pay for the provision of other facilities, like the dedicated stay-home notice facilities," they said, adding that Temasek did not charge management fees for all the work done, and charged MND only for expenses paid to third parties.
They also said that Temasek-linked companies, including Surbana Jurong, will charge only for direct expenditure at cost.
Some aspects were charged at below normal cost. For example, SingEx Venues, which manages Singapore Expo, will not charge the full capital expenditure cost "since the Expo was not being used for normal business anyway", the two ministries said.
They added: "The Government accepts that legitimate questions can be raised about the spending, and is fully prepared to explain why and how money was spent.
"However the Government will respond firmly and appropriately to any scurrilous allegation of corruption."
By Malavika Menon, The Straits Times, 9 May 2020
A facility built at Tanjong Pagar Terminal to house patients or foreign workers with the coronavirus started receiving workers on Tuesday (May 5).
When The Straits Times visited the site on Saturday, workers could be seen donning masks and settling in.
The Ministry of National Development said the partially completed tentage at the terminal can house up to 3,500 people.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared pictures of the facility which he said is being prepared to house patients who are currently recovering or who have recovered from COVID-19.
The facility at the terminal includes tentage with beds and floating workers' accommodation facilities, going by photos posted by Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security. He also noted that the tents have coolers in every room and a fan for every patient.
The tentage and floating accommodations are for step-down care facilities, with proper social distancing in place, he said.
It means that COVID-19 patients from hospitals who are recovering or have mild symptoms can be transferred to Tanjong Pagar Terminal to be cared for, alongside other community isolation facilities such as Changi Exhibition Centre and the Singapore Expo.
This is supposed to help free up hospital facilities for more serious cases, even as Singapore reports more confirmed COVID-19 cases daily, especially among foreign workers from dormitories due to extensive testing.
Referring to the tents and floating accommodations at Tanjong Pagar Terminal, Mr Teo thanked public agencies and private sector partners, noting that they "worked tirelessly to construct and prepare these sites in a matter of weeks, particularly the tentage facilities".
He is currently advising the multi-ministry task force on handling the COVID-19 situation in foreign worker dormitories.
Other locations have recently been identified as temporary sites to house healthy foreign workers in essential services too.
This includes the former Nexus International School in 201 Ulu Pandan Road.
The site, which can house up to 1,000 people, will be refurbished for essential workers this month. The workers are expected to move in by mid-June.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Christopher de Souza assured residents that the site would be self-contained, with all meals and amenities provided on site.
He also said that steps would be taken to ensure the well-being and safety of the workers while simultaneously minimising the disruption to residents living close to the facility.
* Surbana Jurong graft allegations: Accusations of corruption scurrilous, say MOH, MND
Temasek and linked companies charging for direct expenditure at cost, or below cost
Manpower minister Josephine Teo sends lawyers' letters to 2 people in Singapore seeking retraction & apology
By Grace Ho, The Straits Times, 21 May 2020
A statement issued yesterday by law firm Allen & Gledhill on her behalf said Surbana Jurong dealt directly with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of National Development (MND) on the projects.
"Neither my spouse nor I have any involvement with the commissioning of these projects or the monetary transactions," she said.
Mrs Teo was responding to several posts on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp that alleged conflicts of interest in Surbana Jurong's development of the Singapore Expo facilities.
One post concerned how Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive for Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong.
Other posts questioned how the decision to involve Surbana Jurong was made, adding that Members of Parliament Desmond Choo and Yaacob Ibrahim are Surbana Jurong board members.
Mrs Teo's statement also noted a statement issued on Tuesday by Surbana Jurong that said: "In service of the community, we will continue to provide our expertise to projects related to managing the COVID-19 crisis on a cost-recovery basis."
Accusations of profiteering and corruption are, therefore, unfounded, the minister said.
Her lawyers have also issued letters of demand to two people who made the allegations, requiring them to withdraw them. The duo are activist Jolovan Wham and a person named Donald Liew.
Mrs Teo said: "I understand that I am legally entitled to substantial damages for these serious and baseless allegations.
"However, I do not intend to pursue the matter further, or to claim damages, if the allegations are publicly withdrawn, and apologies given. This has been made clear in my lawyers' letters."
The letters to the two people also require them to make a donation of $1,000 each to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund.
Separately, a joint statement by the Health and National Development ministries yesterday said the Government had asked Singapore investment company Temasek to help set up a CCF for those with mild or no symptoms of COVID-19, and for recovering patients.
This was because Temasek had the resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries.
The ministries said Temasek agreed to assist, and agreed that the work done by Temasek and its linked companies would be on a cost-recovery basis and, in some cases, below cost. "There will be no profit made by Temasek and its linked companies for the work done."
Temasek had asked other companies, including PSA International, Singapore Technologies Engineering and Sheares Healthcare to help. External vendors such as Parkway Pantai, Resorts World Sentosa and Certis were also roped in.
Reiterating Mrs Teo's point, the statement added that she and the Manpower Ministry were not involved in the selection of Surbana Jurong or the process of managing the project costs.
It was Temasek that had identified the Singapore Expo as a suitable site and asked Surbana Jurong to convert it into Singapore's first large-scale CCF, said the two ministries yesterday.
They also said MOH worked with Temasek and the other entities on healthcare requirements for the site. Once these were confirmed, MND liaised with the entities on payments for developing the CCF.
"This is because MND has also been liaising with other parties to pay for the provision of other facilities, like the dedicated stay-home notice facilities," they said, adding that Temasek did not charge management fees for all the work done, and charged MND only for expenses paid to third parties.
They also said that Temasek-linked companies, including Surbana Jurong, will charge only for direct expenditure at cost.
Some aspects were charged at below normal cost. For example, SingEx Venues, which manages Singapore Expo, will not charge the full capital expenditure cost "since the Expo was not being used for normal business anyway", the two ministries said.
They added: "The Government accepts that legitimate questions can be raised about the spending, and is fully prepared to explain why and how money was spent.
"However the Government will respond firmly and appropriately to any scurrilous allegation of corruption."
Man apologises for false corruption claims against Josephine Teo, husband over COVID-19 care facilities
He has also taken down offending post after receiving letter of demand from her lawyers
By Kok Yufeng, The Straits Times, 22 May 2020
One of the two men who accused Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and her husband of corruption has apologised and taken down the offending post, after receiving a letter of demand from her lawyers.
In a post late Wednesday night, Facebook user Donald Liew said a statement he published on May 14 was false and completely without foundation.
His post had alleged that Mrs Teo and her husband had improperly benefited from the coronavirus outbreak in migrant worker dormitories in Singapore and the development of "emergency housing facilities" for COVID-19 patients.
Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive in charge of Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong, which developed the community care facility (CCF) at Singapore Expo.
"I apologise unreservedly to Mrs Josephine Teo for making (the allegations). I have removed the statement and undertake not to publish any further statements on this, or to make any allegations to the same or similar effect, in any manner whatsoever," wrote Mr Liew.
The apology came after Mrs Teo's lawyers from Allen & Gledhill issued letters of demand to Mr Liew and activist Jolovan Wham on Wednesday, requiring them to withdraw their allegations of corruption and profiteering, which the minister said were "untrue, scurrilous and completely baseless".
She also said, in a statement the law firm issued on her behalf, that neither she nor her spouse had any involvement in the commissioning of the projects at Singapore Expo or the monetary transactions.
Surbana Jurong dealt directly with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of National Development (MND), she added, in her response to posts on social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp that alleged conflicts of interest in Surbana Jurong's development of the Singapore Expo facilities.
One such post highlighted Mr Teo's role at Surbana Jurong.
Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, said that while she understands she is legally entitled to substantial damages, she does not intend to pursue the matter further or claim damages if the allegations are publicly withdrawn and apologies given.
The lawyers' letters also require Mr Liew and Mr Wham to make a donation of $1,000 each to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund.
It could not be confirmed if Mr Liew had made the donation.
The Straits Times has not been able to reach Mr Wham for comment.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, MOH and MND said the Government had asked Singapore investment company Temasek to help set up the CCF as the firm had the necessary resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries, which include Surbana Jurong.
The ministries said Temasek agreed to assist and the work done would be at cost-recovery basis and in some cases, below cost.
They added: "The Government accepts that legitimate questions can be raised about the spending, and is fully prepared to explain why and how money was spent.
"However, the Government will respond firmly and appropriately to any scurrilous allegation of corruption."
He has also taken down offending post after receiving letter of demand from her lawyers
By Kok Yufeng, The Straits Times, 22 May 2020
One of the two men who accused Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and her husband of corruption has apologised and taken down the offending post, after receiving a letter of demand from her lawyers.
In a post late Wednesday night, Facebook user Donald Liew said a statement he published on May 14 was false and completely without foundation.
His post had alleged that Mrs Teo and her husband had improperly benefited from the coronavirus outbreak in migrant worker dormitories in Singapore and the development of "emergency housing facilities" for COVID-19 patients.
Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive in charge of Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong, which developed the community care facility (CCF) at Singapore Expo.
"I apologise unreservedly to Mrs Josephine Teo for making (the allegations). I have removed the statement and undertake not to publish any further statements on this, or to make any allegations to the same or similar effect, in any manner whatsoever," wrote Mr Liew.
The apology came after Mrs Teo's lawyers from Allen & Gledhill issued letters of demand to Mr Liew and activist Jolovan Wham on Wednesday, requiring them to withdraw their allegations of corruption and profiteering, which the minister said were "untrue, scurrilous and completely baseless".
She also said, in a statement the law firm issued on her behalf, that neither she nor her spouse had any involvement in the commissioning of the projects at Singapore Expo or the monetary transactions.
Surbana Jurong dealt directly with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of National Development (MND), she added, in her response to posts on social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp that alleged conflicts of interest in Surbana Jurong's development of the Singapore Expo facilities.
One such post highlighted Mr Teo's role at Surbana Jurong.
Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, said that while she understands she is legally entitled to substantial damages, she does not intend to pursue the matter further or claim damages if the allegations are publicly withdrawn and apologies given.
The lawyers' letters also require Mr Liew and Mr Wham to make a donation of $1,000 each to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund.
It could not be confirmed if Mr Liew had made the donation.
The Straits Times has not been able to reach Mr Wham for comment.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, MOH and MND said the Government had asked Singapore investment company Temasek to help set up the CCF as the firm had the necessary resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries, which include Surbana Jurong.
The ministries said Temasek agreed to assist and the work done would be at cost-recovery basis and in some cases, below cost.
They added: "The Government accepts that legitimate questions can be raised about the spending, and is fully prepared to explain why and how money was spent.
"However, the Government will respond firmly and appropriately to any scurrilous allegation of corruption."
Activist Jolovan Wham apologises to Josephine Teo for false corruption claims over COVID-19 care facilities; both men issued legal letters have apologised
By Kok Yufeng, The Straits Times, 23 May 2020
Social worker and activist Jolovan Wham yesterday apologised to Manpower Minister Josephine Teo for making false corruption allegations against her. He also removed his statement containing the accusations.
Mr Wham was one of two men who received letters of demand from Mrs Teo's lawyers on Wednesday, requiring them to withdraw statements accusing Mrs Teo and her husband of profiteering and corruption in relation to the development of community care facilities (CCFs) for COVID-19 patients.
The other man, a Facebook user named Donald Liew, withdrew his allegations and posted a public apology late on Wednesday night.
Mr Wham yesterday posted on Facebook an image of a signed and dated document containing his apology and an undertaking not to publish any more statements on the matter or to make any allegations to the same or similar effect.
The offending statement was published on May 16 as a comment on a post by Facebook user Teng Qian Xi.
It had alleged that Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, acted improperly and corruptly in relation to the development of emergency housing facilities by Surbana Jurong.
Said Mr Wham: "I admit and acknowledge that these allegations are false and completely without foundation. I apologise unreservedly to Mrs Josephine Teo for making them."
Mrs Teo had earlier said she does not intend to pursue the matter further or claim damages if the allegations are publicly withdrawn and apologies are given.
Mr Liew and Mr Wham were also each required to make a $1,000 donation to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund. Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, whose law firm represented both men, said Mr Wham has made the donation.
In a separate statement, the law firm said Mr Liew was unable to make the donation owing to personal circumstances, and has asked Mrs Teo to waive this requirement.
"The minister has considered his circumstances and kindly agreed to his request for which he is grateful," the firm said. It added that Mrs Teo has also offered to assist Mr Liew with his personal circumstances.
The public apologies came after Surbana Jurong, which is owned by Singapore investment firm Temasek, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) refuted social media posts alleging profiteering and corruption in Surbana Jurong's development of the CCF at Singapore Expo.
One such post concerned how Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive in charge of Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong.
In a statement issued on Mrs Teo's behalf by her lawyers from Allen & Gledhill, the minister said the claims were "untrue, scurrilous and completely baseless".
Surbana Jurong dealt directly with MOH and MND, and neither she nor her spouse had any involvement with the commissioning of these projects or the monetary transactions, she said.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, MOH and MND said the Government asked Temasek to help set up the CCFs as the firm had the necessary resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries.
Temasek agreed to assist. The work undertaken would be at cost-recovery basis and in some cases, below cost, the ministries added.
By Kok Yufeng, The Straits Times, 23 May 2020
Social worker and activist Jolovan Wham yesterday apologised to Manpower Minister Josephine Teo for making false corruption allegations against her. He also removed his statement containing the accusations.
Mr Wham was one of two men who received letters of demand from Mrs Teo's lawyers on Wednesday, requiring them to withdraw statements accusing Mrs Teo and her husband of profiteering and corruption in relation to the development of community care facilities (CCFs) for COVID-19 patients.
The other man, a Facebook user named Donald Liew, withdrew his allegations and posted a public apology late on Wednesday night.
Mr Wham yesterday posted on Facebook an image of a signed and dated document containing his apology and an undertaking not to publish any more statements on the matter or to make any allegations to the same or similar effect.
The offending statement was published on May 16 as a comment on a post by Facebook user Teng Qian Xi.
It had alleged that Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, acted improperly and corruptly in relation to the development of emergency housing facilities by Surbana Jurong.
Said Mr Wham: "I admit and acknowledge that these allegations are false and completely without foundation. I apologise unreservedly to Mrs Josephine Teo for making them."
Mrs Teo had earlier said she does not intend to pursue the matter further or claim damages if the allegations are publicly withdrawn and apologies are given.
Mr Liew and Mr Wham were also each required to make a $1,000 donation to the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund. Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, whose law firm represented both men, said Mr Wham has made the donation.
In a separate statement, the law firm said Mr Liew was unable to make the donation owing to personal circumstances, and has asked Mrs Teo to waive this requirement.
"The minister has considered his circumstances and kindly agreed to his request for which he is grateful," the firm said. It added that Mrs Teo has also offered to assist Mr Liew with his personal circumstances.
The public apologies came after Surbana Jurong, which is owned by Singapore investment firm Temasek, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) refuted social media posts alleging profiteering and corruption in Surbana Jurong's development of the CCF at Singapore Expo.
One such post concerned how Mrs Teo's husband, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, is the international chief executive in charge of Singapore, South-east Asia and North Asia at Surbana Jurong.
In a statement issued on Mrs Teo's behalf by her lawyers from Allen & Gledhill, the minister said the claims were "untrue, scurrilous and completely baseless".
Surbana Jurong dealt directly with MOH and MND, and neither she nor her spouse had any involvement with the commissioning of these projects or the monetary transactions, she said.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, MOH and MND said the Government asked Temasek to help set up the CCFs as the firm had the necessary resources to do so at short notice through its subsidiaries.
Temasek agreed to assist. The work undertaken would be at cost-recovery basis and in some cases, below cost, the ministries added.
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