Now that we have seen more instances in the community spread of Influenza A(H1N1), what does this mean for Singapore?
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a press conference yesterday that though we will remain at yellow alert, there will be a gradual transition from containment to mitigation as the main objective.
What does mitigation mean?
This means the scaling down of contact-tracing. From now, contact-tracing will be decided on a case by case basis by public health experts.
As the number of locally spread H1N1 cases grows, the health authorities will be shifting resources to detect and treat H1N1 cases, paying particular attention to high risk patients.
Temperature taking at the borders and isolating close family members of confirmed cases will remain.
All public hospitals have been geared up to handle H1N1 cases. And 993 ambulances have begun to send patients to all public hospitals.
There is no longer any need to quarantine all cases at the CDC2 as 993 ambulances will now send very mild suspect cases home after they have been swabbed at the hospitals.
They will wait at home for their lab results.
There will also be no need for all confirmed cases to be hospitalised. Many will be put on anti-viral treatment and be home-quarantined and asked to monitor their condition. This will help to create capacity for H1N1 patients with underlying medical conditions.
Who would be considered high-risk patients?
For H1N1, those in the high-risk group include pregnant women, people with asthma or are on kidney dialysis, immuno-suppressant drugs and chemotherapy.
They should be more careful and wear a mask when they go out.
What will happen when the community spread of H1N1 increases?
MOH has been gearing up polyclinics and a few hundred GPs to treat suspect cases. These GP clinics are called Pandemic Preparedness Clinics (PPCs) and are recognised by their PPC decals with a big tick and the word 'ready'.
They are ready to treat all walk-in suspect cases and will refer only some categories of high-risk suspect patients to public hospitals.
When data confirms significant community spread, MOH will signal to the public to use these PPCs instead of going to the hospitals, if their flu conditions are mild.
Will H1N1 vaccine be available soon?
MOH will secure adequate supplies of H1N1 vaccine for the public. Besides an existing contract with a vaccine manufacturer, MOH is also in active negotiation with other vaccine manufacturers to diversify its supply of the H1N1 vaccine.
What's next?
While the authorities will continue to monitor the virus and check whether it is mutating into a deadlier form, life must continue as normally as possible.
Singapore will carry on with the Asian Youth Games, school re-opening, National Day celebrations in August and F1.
Recently returned students will be asked to stay at home for a week before they rejoin schools. The Ministry of Education will provide details soon.
