SINGAPORE: Hundreds of general practitioner (GP) clinics will be reactivated as Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) as part of efforts to better detect and manage COVID-19 infections, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Friday (Feb 14).
The ministry added that this is a "proactive step" to reduce the risk of further community spread.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMany local confirmed cases had continued to "circulate in the community" or gone to work when they were already ill, the health ministry noted.
"This is why MOH had earlier given guidance to doctors to provide medical certificates (MCs) of five days for patients with respiratory symptoms so they could stay home to recover," said the ministry in a press release.
The National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) has also observed that a "significant number" of Singapore's COVID-19 cases had mild symptoms in the initial phase of infection.
"Similar to influenza, these patients typically experience mild flu-like symptoms such as fever and cough. And similar to influenza, they can be infectious during this initial period of mild symptoms," said MOH.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"The risk of their infecting others can be reduced with appropriate measures."
SUBSIDIES AT PHPCS, POLYCLINICS
There are currently about 900 GP clinics designated as PHPCs.
From Feb 18, the PHPCs will be "progressively activated" to care for patients with respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose, said MOH.
Patients suspected to have pneumonia will be referred to hospitals for further tests and care.
These clinics, which provide subsidised treatment, investigations and medication during public health outbreaks, were previously activated to deal with haze and the H1N1 influenza pandemic.
The PHPCs will provide "special subsidies" for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, said MOH.
Patients with respiratory symptoms can also go to polyclinics, where the subsidies will also apply.
Singapore citizens and PRs diagnosed with respiratory illnesses at the PHPCs and polyclinics will pay a flat subsidised rate of S$10 for their consultation and treatment. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will pay S$5.
"The activation of PHPCs and polyclinics will allow us to enhance and tighten disease surveillance. We would be able to detect the virus earlier, and reduce the risk of further transmission," MOH added.
FOLLOW 5-DAY MC
Most patients with respiratory symptoms are not infected with COVID-19, said the health ministry.
"But we must take extra precautions," MOH added. "It is therefore important that anyone with respiratory symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose) seek medical treatment early, and stay home throughout their illness.
"We urge all individuals and employers to cooperate and follow strictly the five-day MC regime that has been put in place."
Healthcare professionals have been advised to provide MCs of five days for patients with respiratory symptoms.
Patients will be referred for further medical assessment and tests if they do not recover within five days.
The ministry also advised patients to return to the same doctor to seek further treatment if their symptoms persist or deteriorate.
"Patients must recognise the importance of staying home when unwell," it added.
"Mixing in large crowds, or continuing to go to work or school when ill, even with mild symptoms, will put others at risk."
The ministry added it would be taking further pre-emptive measures to reduce the risk of community transmission.
With enhanced detection and surveillance, it expects to see more confirmed COVID-19 cases in the coming days, it said.
"Activating the PHPCs is a proactive step to reduce the risk of further community spread of the virus," MOH added.
The clinics can be identified by a PHPC decal.
On Friday, Singapore confirmed nine new cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of people infected to 67.
The coronavirus started in the Chinese city of Wuhan but has since spread to more than 25 countries.
More than 1,300 people have died from the coronavirus and more than 63,000 people have been infected, the vast majority in China.
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