SINGAPORE: Retailers and retail pharmacies in Singapore have sufficient supplies of COVID-19 antigen rapid test (ART) kits, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (Dec 11).
In response to media queries, MOH said that it is aware of the increased demand for ART kits, amid increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections.
"Our checks have indicated that retailers and retail pharmacies have sufficient supplies and are restocking their stores," said MOH.
"Additional orders have also been placed to meet demand," it added.
The ministry maintains a stockpile of ART kits and will release it to support retailers if the need arises, it said.
"We advise the public to purchase ART kits in quantities that are sufficient only for their immediate needs and not to hoard supplies."
CNA has contacted retailers for more information.
The estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of Nov 26 to Dec 2 rose to 32,035, compared with 22,094 cases in the previous week.
The average daily hospitalisations and ICU admissions have also increased.
MOH said on Dec 8 that it is closely tracking the "added workload" to the "already busy" hospitals to ensure the healthcare capacity is able to cope.
Although the number of cases is rising, there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease, it added.
The fifth and most recent exercise of the national distribution of ART kits was carried out from Jul 17 to Sep 30.
Each household in Singapore received six ART kits, which were drawn from the national stockpile.
MOH had said the stockpile of ART kits was built to mitigate supply chain disruptions and sudden surges in usage.
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In response to media queries, MOH said that it is aware of the increased demand for ART kits, amid increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections.
"Our checks have indicated that retailers and retail pharmacies have sufficient supplies and are restocking their stores," said MOH.
"Additional orders have also been placed to meet demand," it added.
The ministry maintains a stockpile of ART kits and will release it to support retailers if the need arises, it said.
"We advise the public to purchase ART kits in quantities that are sufficient only for their immediate needs and not to hoard supplies."
CNA has contacted retailers for more information.
Related:
RISE IN COVID-19 CASES
The estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of Nov 26 to Dec 2 rose to 32,035, compared with 22,094 cases in the previous week.
The average daily hospitalisations and ICU admissions have also increased.
MOH said on Dec 8 that it is closely tracking the "added workload" to the "already busy" hospitals to ensure the healthcare capacity is able to cope.
Although the number of cases is rising, there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease, it added.
The fifth and most recent exercise of the national distribution of ART kits was carried out from Jul 17 to Sep 30.
Each household in Singapore received six ART kits, which were drawn from the national stockpile.
MOH had said the stockpile of ART kits was built to mitigate supply chain disruptions and sudden surges in usage.
Related:
Continue reading...