COVID-19 primary care response and challenges in Singapore: a tale of two curves

• Published in: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi 2021-02, Vol.27 (1), p.70-72
• Main Authors: Liow, Y, Loh, V W K, Goh, L H, Tan, D H Y, Tan, T L, Leong, C K, Young, D Y L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communicable Disease Control - organization & administration; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Dengue fever; Dormitories; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Humans; Pandemics; Primary Health Care; SARS-CoV-2; Singapore - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1024-2708; 2226-8707
• DOI: 10.12809/hkmj208764

Together with other public health measures and the ‘circuit breaker', which was an enhanced set of social distancing measures introduced by the Singapore Government in early April including closure of schools and non-essential workplaces, the PHPC helped to flatten the community curve by end May 2020.7 The immediate challenge faced by primary care physicians from the PHPC was introducing infection control measures, including creating segregation protocols and well-ventilated isolation areas. [...]containment and mitigation strategies are effective in flattening COVID-19 epidemic curves.16As borders and economies reopen, measures with the most benefit and least cost to society may need reinstating. [...]accessible and coordinated primary care continues to be a key arm of the response to public health emergencies. [...]every precaution must be taken to protect groups who live communally, such as migrant workers.