One of the worst public health threats of our generation – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Singapore is such a small island country (278 square miles) city-state in Southeast Asia has a population of about 5.8 million people. Recently, our community cases have risen sharply given easing of restrictions. Well, I guess it is an expected situation since the government decided to ease the measures and open the economy. Although the government had tighter community restrictions which kicked in on last Monday, I think that there will be more cases being detected. Well, I guess COVID-19 has been really part of our daily lives and we must face it. We heard it for about 1 year and 8 months. We kept on hearing people being tested positive and die from complications… It seems like there are so much we can do.
It had been a few months ago since my last post. Not much changes but this month I had something special to pen on. I would like to pen down my thoughts of what is it like when someone dear you were infected with COVID-19 and the process of being issued an QO.
On the 27th of September 2021, I came home after work knowing that my father was not feeling well, and he just went to see doctor at a polyclinic. He had developed mild symptoms such as a cough and running nose. Knowing that the result of the tests will be uploaded into the HealthHub App, I told him to login and see his test results. Apparently, both of his tests (ART + PCR) came back POSITIVE. MY DAD GOT COVID-19! So, my first instant reaction was to report to my bosses knowing that I will be issued a Quarantine Order (QO) and my other family members will need to isolate ourselves at home for 10 days.
After knowing that my dad was tested positive, no one contacted us to let us know what we need to do next or what should we expected. But later that evening around 8:30pm, my dad received and picked up a call saying that he will be pick up using an ambulance the next day. So, he packed some of his clothing to get ready for pick up. As for myself, I googled on the website and look for a form to submit our particulars for quarantine. My sister and I also did our ART test and uploaded our test result on the COVID-19 Testing Portal. All the above procedures are self-administrated as we do not know what to do next, but we just do what we can while waiting for MOH text messages.
On the 28th of September 2021, we were literally waiting for call and ambulance to pick up my dad. But till evening, no one came and called to check on him. He wasn’t informed of the proper procedures of what he needs to do. So, he just kept on waiting… of course he rested and eat well. We also did not receive any QO message so by right we still can go out, but we chose to quarantine ourselves and minimise contact with others.
On the 29th of September 2021, upon checking my phone, I received the MOH message stating that we had been issued a QO. But interestingly, my sister did not receive any text messages. Based on the message, there are 2 things to take note:
- We need to undergo PCR swab tests at a Regional Swab Centre on 29 September and 5 October.
- We need to self-administer ART tests daily (see photo as reference – collected from the screening centre) and report the results daily before 12pm.
To begin with, I clicked on the link and to book an appointment at their nearest designated screening centre. To my pleasant surprise, there are only 6 designated screening centres to serve the whole Singapore for Persons Under Quarantine (PUQ).
- Former Shu Qun Secondary School
- Former Coral Primary School
- Former Da Qiao Primary School
- Former Bishan Park Secondary School
- Former Bedok North Secondary School
- Former Innova Junior College
I am surprised because I thought that there will be a few more other locations that which is nearer to us and within walking distance. So, no choice we had to book grab to go for our PCR swabbing.
Upon arriving at Former Innova JC, we saw many people were being placed under PUQ. All of us will need to queue with 1-metre safe distancing to register ourselves and get the ART kits for self-testing usage. We waited around 1 hour to complete the PCR swab. It was my first time that I did a PCR swab. I thought it will be painful but not as painful as I thought. The technician inserts a flexible, soft-tipped, 6-inch swab into your nostril. He guided it to the back of your nose until it reaches the nasopharynx (the area where our nasal cavities meet the throat). He then swirls it gently and leave it there for a few seconds to collect secretions. During the test, as the technician kept inching the swab deeper and deeper inside my nose, I felt a bit of discomfort. Afterward, I left the facility, thinking it wasn’t so bad experience. Just feeling a little bit uncomfortable that the stick touches the end of my nose.
Anyway, I think no one wants to be infected with COVID-19. If we met such a situation, I guess we just need to deal with it tactfully and not putting blame on others as we cannot control virus. Ultimately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together.
For me, this QO is a time where I can take some breaks isn’t about cheating myself, it’s about treating myself to reflect deeply on who I am with what I do. I believe that life will give me whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of my consciousness.
“There are so many difficult things we’re living through in the world today, so many horrible events, but we cannot let them stop us. No matter what happens, I feel you must move forward with optimism and not get totally sideswiped.” – Gloria Estefan