SINGAPORE: Polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) will revert to their common working hours from Friday (Mar 11) because the Omicron transmission wave is displaying indicators of subsiding, the Ministry of Health (MOH) mentioned in a press launch on Thursday.
MOH had beforehand prolonged opening hours of chosen PHPCs and polyclinics from Feb 25 to Mar 10 to assist unfold out peak affected person load at clinics and polyclinics.
The return to common hours will give healthcare employees a much-needed respite from the lengthy working hours, mentioned MOH.
“We thank our primary care providers for stepping up to support the national effort to cope with the clinical demand from the Omicron surge,” mentioned the ministry.
More than 655 PHPCs, of which 15 are 24-hour clinics, will nonetheless be open at varied occasions on weekday nights and over the weekends.
MOH additionally suggested members of the general public to “call the clinics to confirm the availability and timing of services, particularly for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and make appointments as needed before heading to the clinics”.
Individuals who’ve examined optimistic on a self-administered antigen speedy take a look at (ART) and have delicate or no signs are to self-isolate for not less than 72 hours.
If crucial, people can e book an appointment at any Combined Test Centre (CTC) or Quick Test Centre (QTC) to do a supervised self-administered ART. If they’re unwell, they will go to any PHPC by way of non-public transport for medical consideration.
Additionally, since Feb 26, people who take a look at ART optimistic at Combined Test Centres on weekends can request for a session with a telemedicine physician.
The telemedicine docs will be capable of present face-to-face video consultations of their place of lodging, and prescribe and ship remedy if want be.
READ RELATED: What Illness Does Rhod Gilbert Have? Fans Worried About His Health
The testing and consultations might be funded by the Government till Mar 20.
The reserving of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) testing and telemedicine session appointments on weekends on the Combined Test Centres could be made at go.gov.sg/ari-weekend-testing.
MOH additionally mentioned that non-emergency sufferers who stroll into emergency departments in hospitals could also be diverted to different clinics for additional evaluation, in order to prioritise sources for sufferers who want pressing medical care.
“We appeal to individuals not to rush to a hospital emergency department unless they are experiencing an emergency … We seek everyone’s continued effort and cooperation to do our part to preserve healthcare resources for those who need them most,” MOH mentioned.
Singapore on Thursday reported 16,165 new COVID-19 instances, down from 17,051 new infections on Wednesday.
There had been six fatalities reported on Thursday, taking the dying toll from coronavirus issues to 1,116.
The weekly an infection development charge was 0.93, decrease than the 0.94 on Wednesday. A quantity under 1 signifies that the variety of new weekly COVID-19 instances is falling.
Singapore has recorded 901,758 COVID-19 instances for the reason that begin of the pandemic.
BOOKMARK THIS: Our complete protection of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the newest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
