16 quick test centres for COVID-19 set up locally

Sixteen quick test centres have been set up, with four more forthcoming, as Singapore advances its testing capacity to restrain the spread of the coronavirus. 

At these quick test centres, workers in higher risk settings will undergo the fast and easy test (FET) every two weeks. Higher risk settings are applicable to those who work in settings with unmasked patrons or where there is extended contact between individuals, including those workers at dine-in eateries, hairdressers, spas and gyms. 

The tests are required for staff in higher risk settings from Jul 15. They also have the option of doing a self-swab under the supervision of a trained staff member from their workplace. 

The current locations of the centres include Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Hougang, Jurong West and Pasir Ris among other areas. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) has plans to set up another four more centres to make it more convenient for staff in higher-risk settings to get tested.  

According to a Straits Times report, HPB announced last Friday that each centre has a daily testing capacity of 400 to 1,000 people, meaning that at least 6,400 tests can be conducted daily. Between Jun 21 and Jul 21, there were 13,900 tests conducted across the 16 centres. 

Through the FET procedure at these quick test centres, people will administer their own swabs under supervision, and will be informed of the results via SMS within the day. 

People with a positive or second invalid test result will be instructed to go for a confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is used to diagnose COVID-19 infection.

There were 125 new COVID-19 cases reported locally on Sunday, Jul 25. As of Monday morning, Jul 26, the Jurong Fishery Port/Hong Lim Market and Food Centre cluster had reached a total of 792 linked cases.