JEM and Westgate cluster grows to 50, free COVID-19 testing extended to those who visited from May 10-22

The JEM and Westgate COVID-19 cluster has grown to 50 cases, after six new community cases and 40 previously unlinked cases were traced to both malls on Monday (May 24). 

The six cases linked to the cluster are two Singapore Polytechnic students, a delivery personnel who frequently delivered goods at Westgate, an ST Electronics admin, a Pizzahut waiter and a woman who is currently unemployed. 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) added in its announcement on Monday that three clusters –  one linked to an Abbvie Operations engineer, one linked to a Sanofi Aventis employee and one linked to Sms Infocomm – have been traced to the malls. The clusters have a total of 27 cases.

An additional 13 previously unlinked cases linked to the JEM and Westgate cluster include another Singapore Polytechnic student, a safe distancing ambassador at Westgate, an auxiliary police officer deployed at Westgate and a chef at Suntec City MOS Burger. 

MOH also found that a 53-year-old cleaner who works at Park Avenue Rochester, a stay-home notice facility, may have been the source of infection for the JEM and Westgate cluster. 

Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that some of the visitors at JEM and Westgate have similar sequences. Further investigations into the mode of transmission are ongoing. 

MOH also announced that free swab testing is extended to people who have visited JEM and Westgate from May 10 to May 22. Previously, it was only available for those who have visited the malls from May 10 to May 14. 

They can call in advance or book an appointment at the Fullerton Health Testing Centre located at Szechuan Court, Raffles City Shopping Centre.

People can also call or book an appointment at any Swab and Send Home Public Health Preparedness Clinic (SASH PHPC). 

Walk-ins are also allowed at Raffles Hospital at 585 North Bridge Road or Raffles Medical at Shaw Centre Orchard.

Individuals can also book an appointment at any of these designated regional screening centres:

1. Jurong Club House, 11 Jurong Town Hall Road
2. Former Da Qiao Primary School, 8 Ang Mo Kio Street 54
3. Former Shuqun Secondary School, 450 Jurong East Street 21
4. Former Coral Primary School, 20 Pasir Ris Street 51
5. Former Bishan Park Secondary School, 2 Sin Ming Walk

However, only asymptomatic individuals will be accepted at the regional screening centres and other testing venues. Those who are ill are urged to see a doctor or visit a SASH PHPC.