SINGAPORE: Residents of seven Housing Board (HDB) blocks in Redhill must undergo COVID-19 testing amid likely virus transmission in the area and viral fragments detected in wastewater samples at some blocks.
Residents of 81, 82 and 83 Redhill Lane, as well as 87, 88, 89 and 90 Redhill Close, will be tested between Monday (Jun 21) and Wednesday, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). Testing is optional for those who have tested negative for COVID-19 from Jun 18 onwards.
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Voluntary testing will also be conducted for visitors to the blocks and those who have interacted with residents between Jun 6 and Jun 20.
We encourage these individuals to come forward for testing, said MOH.
The health ministry said it is investigating likely COVID-19 transmission in the Redhill area and that epidemiological investigations are ongoing to determine the source of transmission.
Mandatory testing will help disrupt any wider, undetected community transmission, it added.
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If a positive COVID-19 case is detected, MOH said it will isolate the person, identify all close contacts, and test and place these contacts in quarantine.
Residents are also advised to monitor their health closely and consult a doctor immediately if they feel unwell. Those who are still awaiting their test results are advised to minimise social interactions as much as possible, said MOH.
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Both mandatory and voluntary testing will be conducted at the pavilion at 84A Redhill Lane and void deck of 89 Redhill Close.
All residents are to bring along their NRIC for identification purposes. Leaflets have been distributed and SMS notifications have been sent to the residents.
2 UNLINKED COVID-19 CASES FOUND IN EARLIER REDHILL TESTS
COVID-19 tests were carried out last week for employees and tenants at some shops in the neighbourhood 78, 79, 80, 84 and 85 Redhill Lane and 86 Redhill Close amid potential community transmission in the area.
Stallholders at Redhill Market and Food Centre were also required to undergo tests after a COVID-19 case visited the market.
Mandatory testing was also held for those working at several nearby locations in Tiong Bahru shops at 18 Jalan Membina, Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Hu Coffeeshop at 56 Eng Hoon Street and Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre.
At least two unlinked COVID-19 cases were detected following the tests a dental assistant who works at the Redhill MRT station outlet of Q&M Dental Surgery and a pastry maker who works at Bakery Point along Tiong Bahru Road.
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