Singapore’s pivot to Covid-19 home recovery baffles some residents as cases surge
- As part of the city state’s policy of living with the virus, fully vaccinated residents who test positive and are aged 69 or under can now recover at home
- But the new approach has not been without its hiccups, as cases surge and residents report a lack of communication from the authorities
When Tan tested positive for Covid-19 last week, she was worried about being separated from her infant daughter.
Thankfully, the fully vaccinated 40-year-old Singaporean qualified for the city state’s home recovery programme and has been able to recuperate at home.
“I am glad I am able to do home recovery,” said Tan, who gave only one name. “I have a toddler and even though I can’t touch or hug her, I’m still able to see her from afar. I can also get whatever I need more easily than in a care facility.”
Previously, patients were either treated in hospitals or sent to government isolation facilities, but the city state is now promoting home recovery as it pivots towards living with the virus – and looks to ease the strain on its health care system amid a surge in infections, recording 1,650 new cases on Friday alone.
For the 82 per cent of Singapore’s population who have been fully vaccinated, like Tan, the home recovery process is relatively straightforward.