SINGAPORE – In a slow and orderly manner, residents of Sumang Walk in Punggol walked into a pavilion in their compound to get swabbed for Covid-19 on Tuesday morning (June 8).
They had been called for a special Covid-19 testing operation by the Ministry of Health, after cases of coronavirus infection were detected among those living in the Housing Board block.
Dr Janil Puthucheary, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, told the media that there were three families with eight confirmed Covid-19 cases from Block 325A.
A total of 361 residents from 124 households would be tested, he said.
Residents seemed calm after being notified of the testing operation, he added.
“Not only are they calm, but many of them also volunteered to help, which was very kind of them,” said Dr Janil, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Health as well as for Communications and Information.
Mr Muhammad Jalaluddeen, 29, was one of the first few residents who was swabbed on Tuesday. He exited the swabbing area around 9.20am.
He went down on his own. His wife and eldest son, aged eight, would get swabbed later in the day. His younger sons, aged six and three, do not have to be tested for the virus.
“The swab was slightly uncomfortable but it’s just a few seconds,” said Mr Jalaluddeen, who has lived at Block 325A Sumang Walk for about two years.
It was his first time being swabbed.
Mr Jalaluddeen, who works at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, said the process was efficient and fast.
“(Knowing there are cases in the block) is a bit worrying, but I’m sure the authorities are taking steps for us to stay safe.
“They will probably find some cases, but I’m hoping they are asymptomatic. With the vaccines available, hopefully everyone will be okay,” he added.
Another Punggol resident, Ms Nurul Ashikin Hassan, 30, was swabbed along with her 37-year-old husband. They live in neighbouring Block 323D but had visited Ms Ashikin’s uncle at Block 325A previously between May 10 and June 5.
“It was a super smooth process, and they signalled us which direction to go,” she said.
MOH had encouraged visitors to Block 325A during that period to come forward for testing.
Mr Ang Boon Leng, 63, a Grab driver, headed down with his family. They live on the second floor at Block 325A.
His wife and two daughters joined him.
His son was swabbed at a clinic yesterday as a precaution after hearing about the cases in the block, said Mr Ang.
Mr Ang added that the family had been slightly worried when they were notified of the testing operation but came down to get swabbed for peace of mind and to be safe.
“Worry is worry, but coming down to be swabbed is safer for us all,” said Mr Ang, who added that the testing process took under 10 minutes.
“The swab was okay, just a bit sensitive when it was first poked into the nose,” he said in Mandarin.
He will return to work after the result of the swab comes back negative.
“I have faith, because I was vaccinated some time ago. I will wear two masks just for additional safety to keep passengers safe too,” he said.
The testing operation at Sumang Walk will take place on two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 4pm.