Alexandra Hospital ward re-opens 14 days after staff tests positive for Covid-19

[SINGAPORE] A ward at Alexandra Hospital (AH) has re-opened following 14 days of "lockdown" after a staff tested positive for Covid-19.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday (June 1), the hospital said no new cases have emerged for more than 14 days.

On May 18, a 24-year-old basic care assistant who had worked in Ward 3 the day before was confirmed to have the virus.

On May 20, the hospital announced that it had banned all visitors to the 37-bedded ward, which is used by patients who require rehabilitation.

Nineteen staff and nine patients who had been placed on quarantine order are well and in good spirits, said the hospital on Tuesday. The basic care assistant is also "on the road to recovery," it added.

Since Monday, the hospital has also stepped up rostered routine swab testing for all employees working in patient-facing roles."Deep thanks to our colleagues, care teams, patients, family members, visitors, former patients and big-hearted donors and strangers, whom we may have not met, for stepping forward to show your support to AH in the past 14 days," the hospital said.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesman said many had stepped forward to show support for the hospital employees and patients after hearing what had happened in Ward 3.

A former patient at the affected ward had bought pizza and chicken wings for the ward staff upon hearing the news.

Others took the opportunity to support hawkers while giving hospital front liners a treat.

Ms Kate Yeo, 19, visited Amoy Street Food Centre to buy hawker food for AH staff, while Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth and Member of Parliament for Queenstown Eric Chua bought them muffins from ABC Food Centre.

Another group of women bought hundreds of bento sets for lunch and supper to support hospital employees, including Ward 3."We cannot begin to express our deep thanks to all your encouragement and support through your thoughtful gestures and gifts which kept us going," the hospital said.

Chief executive officer of AH Jason Phua added: "Our healthcare workers are prepared for a long battle with Covid-19 - we will stay vigilant for our patients and their loved ones."

THE STRAITS TIMES