However, there are no plans yet to freeze leave for healthcare workers, as hospitals said they are prepared to adapt their manpower needs to the situation.
Mr Ong said: “We feel BA.4 and BA.5, this is a wave we can ride through. But don’t be complacent, still be prepared for it.”Professor Fong Kok Yong, Singhealth's deputy group chief executive officer of medical and clinical services, said that the hospital group is “well-prepared to increase our capacity to care for Covid-19 patients as necessary… and we will proactively respond as and when the need arises.
When asked about freezing leave, he said that there have not been any changes to their existing policies. He added that NUHS hospitals — namely the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital — are closely monitoring the situation and will adjust their response accordingly.
“We are also offering alternative arrangements where clinically appropriate, including teleconsultation, tele-rehabilitation, tele-monitoring, remote prescribing, and delivery of medication,” he added. Vice-dean of research at Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health Alex Cook said that only two groups of people need to be highly concerned about the possible upcoming Covid-19 wave — those in the healthcare system and the vulnerable, such as the elderly and those who have not been vaccinated., hospitals may see a compounded impact in the rise in hospital admissions.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.