Minster of Health Ong Ye Kung said on 28 July that preventing Singapore’s healthcare from being overwhelmed was the reason for the return to Phase 2 (HA).

He addressed how easily our hospital system could reach its capacity because of a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases.

All it takes is five weeks for Singapore’s ICU capacity to reach it’s limit.

Hospital beds could fill up in 1 week, and the ICU in 5 weeks.

A scenario where Singapore could potentially face a collapse of our healthcare system was highlighted by Ong:

“The odds of a large surge in cases are stacked against us: We knew that when a cluster grows uncontrollably, infection numbers would double every seven to 10 days, which meant that hospital beds could fill up in a week. Beyond that, we could be overwhelmed.”

He shared how hospitals overseas were overwhelmed and their healthcare systems collapsing; and they (the overseas hospitals) had to turn away sick patients, and doctors had to decide who lives and dies.

Ong reiterated that such a human tragedy like this cannot be allowed to happen in Singapore.

He shared that authorities have opened 70 ICU beds, double from a couple of weeks ago.

There are also plans to open more beds, as hospitals have added 1,000 isolation beds, of which 80% are occupied at the moment by suspected and confirmed cases.

The government is also monitoring the ICU numbers.

At the moment, there are 2 individuals warded in ICUs in critical condition.

Images source: Ong Ye Kung Facebook and Tan Tock Seng Hospital Facebook

MOE announced on 29 July that the National Day on 9 August is a public holiday, and that 10 August is the designated school holiday.

And although the NDP this year has been postponed to 21 August, the school holiday on 10 August will remain in place.

The NDP this year will take place after the end of Phase 2 (HA), after the emergence of clusters and a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases.

However, 23 August, the day after the postponed NDP, will be a normal working/schooling day.

Images source: visitsingapore.com

A 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing cash from the coin dispenser machines at laundromats.

Talk about “money laundering”.

The police received several reports of coin dispenser machines being allegedly tampered with from 24 July to 28 July.

Coins were allegedly stolen from the machines.

The identity of the man was established by officers from Ang Mo Kio and Bedok Police Division and he was then arrested.

He will be charged in court tomorrow (30 July) with theft in dwelling.

Images source: Unsplash

A group of YPs were seen breaching safe distancing measures by a resident.

She said that they have been congregating to play Sepak Takraw on “continuous days” since the implementation of Phase 2 (HA).

She said:

“Photos were taken on continous days ever since phase 2 HA returns… This group of people gather at the badminton court between 190 & 189 Boon Lay Drive.

I have made multiple cases via OneService and iTown app but nothing has been done. No wonder this group of people also don’t care about the law.

I dont know where else to report them for flouting the rules.

Currently blk 189 is a place where the covid testing is taking place due to the few cases at happen Boon Lay Hawker Centre.

These few jokers still hanging around with their mask off. “

Images source: Guren Hiragi Facebook

A screenshot of a chat between two people were leaked online yesterday.

It showed a guy talking to a girl (the two are presumably fighting at the time), telling her that she has to do something if she wants to be his friend again.

He said that she has to show him her n*ked body and if she doesn’t want to, then “don’t be my (his) friend.”

Image source: @yoursgkaren on IG

A netizen, Noor Halimaton, shared how she and her family received a Quarantine Order from MOH via an SMS.

She said that it has been 7 days since and there is still no contact from MOH/Certis Cisco and calls have gone unanswered.

She shared that their family’s income is at stake.

Here is the story:

“We need answers and confirmation .

We have been waiting and confining ourselves at home since the LOA/QO has been issued verbally and via sms to my daughter.

Now, has bn 7 days since we last heard from MOH or your vendor, Certis Cisco.

We need to know, our companies need to know what are we given. Our jobs here are at stake. Our income at stake.

You said an officer will get in touch with us within 48 hrs when the qo was issued.

7 days already. Nothing.

Called both ur line and cisco lines were nothing but engaged tone and when calls were picked up, there was no one at the end of the line.

We were told when the MOH officer called to inform us that QO served to my daughter that we need to check with CISCO as their (MOH) job is mainly to inform us that QO was served.

We need answers pls. Sorry its just that all this uncertainties is taking a toll on our mental health.”

Images source: Noor Halimaton Facebook, Unsplash and Google Maps