Mandatory Covid-19 test for residents of Henderson Road block after 5 cases found in 3 households

SINGAPORE — All residents of a public housing block off Henderson Road will have to go for a mandatory swab test after five Covid-19 cases were detected in three households there, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (June 29).

Those living at Block 91 Henderson Road will have to take the compulsory tests at the pavilion of Block 96B Henderson Road on Wednesday and Thursday between 9am and 4pm.

The block is located within a five-minute walk from both Block 105 Henderson Crescent as well as the Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre. The market and hawker centre is the largest active Covid-19 cluster in Singapore with 91 cases as of Monday while Block 105 has 13 infected people.

There are three other clusters in the vicinity — at blocks 119 and 121 Bukit Merah View as well as Block 90 Redhill Close.

Voluntary Covid-19 testing will also be conducted for visitors of Block 91 Henderson Road as well as members of the public who have interacted with the residents between June 9 and 28.

The voluntary testing will be done by appointment only at designated regional screening centres on June 30 and July 1 between 9am and 4pm as well as the pavilion at Block 96B Henderson Road.

MOH said that the testing is conducted to disrupt any wider, undetected community transmission there.

The testing for the residents will, however, be optional for those who have tested negative for Covid-19 from June 25 onwards.

In the event that a positive Covid-19 case is detected, MOH said that it will isolate the case, identify all of the close contacts, and test and quarantine them to protect the community from further transmission.

“Residents are also advised to monitor their health closely and consult a doctor immediately if they feel unwell. Those who are still awaiting their test results are advised to minimise social interactions as much as possible,” MOH said.

“They should continue to monitor their health and seek immediate medical attention if they feel unwell."

Those who want to book an appointment or get information on the alternate test locations may visit https://go.gov.sg/91-hr-covid-19-testing or call 1800 333 9999.