SINGAPORE: Monkeypox cases assessed by general public hospitals to be medically stable will be used in a dedicated isolation service from Monday (Aug 1).
The quarantine period for close contacts of monkeypox cases will also be altered to 14 days, followed by seven days of supervising for symptoms via regular phone calls, stated the Ministry of Health (MOH).
According to the ask. gov. sg website, those upon phone surveillance may leave their home as long as they are well. They ought to contact an MOH duty officer if they are unwell.
The Health Ministry stated that these updated community health measures are usually in line with the latest local and international data, including all those from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Previously, all confirmed cases of monkeypox were isolated within hospitals until they were non-infectious.
As part of an initial to transit monkeypox cases to recover in the community, eight cases were transferred from general public hospitals to an solitude facility on Jul 29, said MOH. These situations are all currently in stable condition with mild symptoms.
From Monday, all of the confirmed cases assessed by the public private hospitals to be clinically stable will be taken to the facility with round-the-clock telemedicine support.
“These cases will recover in the monkeypox isolation facility until they are considered to be non-infectious and fit for discharge, ” said MOH.
“Cases evaluated by the public hospitals to be at higher risk of complications will still be managed in hospitals. This allows hospitals aid their capacity for situations with more severe symptoms or complications. inch
Singapore has reported 11 monkeypox cases since June.
QUARANTINE
Given that transmission needs close physical or even prolonged contact, which includes face-to-face and skin-to-skin contact such as sex-related contact, the risk to the general public remains reduced, said the Health Ministry.
“Evidence also points to an indicate incubation period of around eight to nine days with the majority of close contacts creating symptoms by Day time 14 from their last exposure to a confirmed case. ”
Close contacts were previously quarantined for about 21 days using their last date associated with exposure to a verified case.
Beneath the updated measures, close contacts will be quarantined for 14 days then seven days of monitoring for symptoms through regular phone calls. These individuals will be able to total their quarantine from your home, said MOH.
Those who are unable to comprehensive their quarantine at home will be transferred to a government quarantine service.
“MOH may continue to monitor the particular monkeypox situation carefully and calibrate the preparedness and response measures as required, ” said the Health Ministry.
“Members of the public are encouraged to exercise personal obligation by monitoring their particular personal health, preserving good hygiene, plus avoiding high-risk sexual acts, such as having multiple sex partners or casual sex, especially during travel.
“They should also avoid close contact with individuals identified or suspected to become ill with monkeypox infection. ”