The recent wave of COVID-19 infections rose to a high of 11,504 reported new cases on 28 June 2022. This current rise in COVID-19 cases is driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. According to MOH, about 45% of the COVID-19 cases in the community in the week prior to 27 June 2022 were cases with BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, up from 30% the week before. BA.5 alone is estimated to have contributed to 40% of all cases in the period.
For most of us Singaporeans, life has largely resumed to our pre-pandemic routines of working in offices and travelling overseas. This is also reflected in our overall government stance on safe management measures which remain unchanged. Yet, these policies are also poised to change if warranted by the situation. Likewise, we should stay alert and mindful of the pandemic still present among us.
Here are the 6 things to know as we continue to live with the pandemic.
#1 The Third National Distribution Of ART Kits Will Start From 18 July 2022
By this time, almost all Singaporeans would be familiar with the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kits. Self-testing has been the de facto means for individuals and households to detect and protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus.
To support self-testing, 10 ART kits will be distributed to every residential household from 18 July 2022 onwards. This is the third national distribution of ART kits, and the kits will be distributed via SingPost. Due to the high volume of distribution, some households may have to wait a few weeks to receive these kits.
For those who require more ART kits for self-testing beyond what MOH will be providing, additional support is provided for lower-income households who are beneficiaries of Social Service Offices (SSOs) and Family Service Centres (FSCs). These households may continue to request for additional ART kits at these locations.
MOH will also be working with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to provide ART kits on request to students from lower-income households. More details will be shared by the schools and educational institutions directly.
#2 Cessation Of $10/$5 Subsidised Care for Respiratory Infection Treatment at Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs)
Since February 2020, more than 1,000 Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) have been activated to provide subsidised care for patients with respiratory infection symptoms. Under this, Singapore residents paid a flat subsidised rate of $10 and seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation paid a lower rate of $5 for treatment of respiratory infection symptoms, regardless of its cause, COVID-19 or not.
As of 1 July 2022, these subsidies at PHPCs and polyclinics for the treatment of respiratory infections have reverted to pre-COVID-19 levels. The $10/$5 fee no longer apply. Instead, Singaporeans can continue to enjoy prevailing subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at CHAS General Practitioner (GP) clinics.
Government-funded swabs for ART and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests at PHPCs and polyclinics will continue to be provided to eligible symptomatic individuals at no charge.
Read Also: Complete Guide To The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
#3 Cessation of Government-Subsidised Telemedicine Care For Individuals on Protocol 2
Individuals under Protocol 2 are categorised as mildly symptomatic, low risk, and recovering from home. Previously, those who requested for telemedicine care enjoys full subsidy.
From 1 July 2022, this has reverted to pre-COVID-19 arrangements. Full subsidy for the telemedicine will cease, but Singaporeans will continue to enjoy CHAS subsidies if they visit a CHAS GP clinic for treatment.
However, individuals under Protocol 1 (i.e. those at high medical risk or with severe symptoms, but are discharged home for recovery) and put under telemedicine surveillance will continue to enjoy fully subsidised telemedicine care.
#4 Emergency Department Charges To Apply For Cases That Seek COVID-19 Treatment That Result In Non-Admission
Previously, Singapore Citizens/ Permanent Residents /Long-Term Pass Holders (SC/PR/LTPHs) who seek emergency treatment for COVID-19 in Emergency Departments (ED) of public acute hospitals did not have to pay any ED charges as long as they are fully vaccinated or certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination.
To help MOH manage the demand for ED services to those who need them, ED charges will apply to those who do not require admission after visiting the ED from 1 July 2022.
Those who are assessed to require hospital or COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) admission for COVID-19 treatment will continue to have their ED, inpatient and/or CTF bills fully subsidised by the government, if they are fully vaccinated or certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination.
#5 Second Booster Vaccination For Select Groups Including Medically Vulnerable
Vaccination has one of the key pillars of Singapore’s pandemic strategy and we have achieved a high vaccination rate for primary vaccinations (2 vaccine shots). 95.9% and 91.7% of our eligible population have completed their primary series and first booster vaccinations respectively.
For most people, the first booster’s protection against severe illnesses remains strong. However, select groups of people are at an increased risk of severe disease, even after the first booster, and will be most affected by waning vaccine efficacy over time. Thus, the following groups of persons are therefore strongly recommended to receive a second COVID-19 booster around five months after their first booster:
- All persons aged 80 years and above;
- Persons living in aged care facilities; and
- Medically vulnerable persons aged 18 and above who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, such as those with medical risk factors including :
- Diabetes
- Heart conditions such as heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy
- Chronic lung conditions, including severe asthma
- Chronic liver conditions, including cirrhosis
- Chronic kidney conditions, including dialysis
- Chronic neurologic conditions, including stroke
- Cancer on active treatment
- Blood conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia
- Immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30)
- Genetic or metabolic conditions, including Down’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis
- Persons on non-cancer immunosuppressive treatment
From 1 July 2022, medically vulnerable persons with health conditions may self-declare their health conditions to receive their second booster by walking into any Vaccination Centre, Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) and polyclinics that offer vaccinations. To facilitate their vaccination, a doctor’s referral to receive their second booster is no longer required. Other medically vulnerable persons will continue to be able to receive the second booster by providing a referral memo from their treating doctors.
Additionally, the second booster is also offered under the National Vaccination Programe to all persons aged 50 to 79 years. While the first booster should impart sufficient protection, those in this age group can choose to take a second booster if they are concerned about their individual risk of severe COVID-19 as this is around the age where risk increases as chronic diseases start to set in. Such persons who live with elderly or medically vulnerable family members, or intend to travel overseas, should consider taking up the second booster.
#6 Extension Of Private Vaccination Programme To All
Previously, under Private Vaccination Programme (PVP), Short-Term Visitors to Singapore aged 18 years and above could receive paid Moderna/Spikevax vaccinations and boosters.
This is now extended to all individuals in Singapore who are aged 18 and above, including local residents. This will allow individuals who wish to take additional vaccine doses, but who do not qualify under the National Vaccination Programme, to do so based on a doctor’s assessment. Vaccinations under the PVP will be at the individual’s own cost.
Read Also: Cost Guide To Popular Vaccinations In Singapore
The post Third National Distribution of ART Kits And Changes To COVID Subsidies Starting From 1 July 2022: 6 Things To Know appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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