Tan Tock Seng Hospital stops admitting patients as COVID-19 infections grow

Tan Tock Seng Hospital has stopped admitting new patients as it struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus in its wards. 

The hospital announced today that it will no longer admit patients until further notice while redirecting those in need of urgent medical attention to other clinics. More than 30 people from the hospital, including vaccinated staff, have contracted the disease, which also claimed the life of an 88-year-old patient on Labor Day. 

“We are ceasing admissions to our hospital from today. We seek your kind understanding that this will allow us to focus on containing this COVID-19 hospital cluster, conserve our manpower and continue supporting the pandemic response at our NCID during this period,” the hospital wrote. NCID refers to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. 

As of this morning, 35 cases have been linked to the hospital. 

Ambulance cases were being diverted to other hospitals, according to the Health Ministry yesterday. Some who require outpatient services may have their appointments deferred. 

Hospitals such as Changi General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Singapore General Hospital have already barred entry to visitors who had been to Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s inpatient wards. 

“MOH reiterates that no hospital is denying medical care to patients who need it,” the ministry said in a statement. “However, as a precautionary measure, hospitals may impose stricter triaging criteria for visitors, including asking visitors or accompanying persons who had been to TTSH inpatient wards from 18 April 2021 to defer their visits. This is in the best interest and safety of patients and staff in the other hospitals, as the investigation of the TTSH outbreak is ongoing.”

The elderly woman who died was a patient in Ward 9D, which is one of four wards that have been locked down. The other affected wards are 7D, 9C, and 10B. 

The first coronavirus case at Tan Tock Seng Hospital was confirmed last Tuesday, involving a 46-year-old nurse who had completed vaccination. She was working at Ward 9D. The hospital has barred visitors since Wednesday. 

Singapore has recorded 61,235 cases with 31 deaths since the outbreak began. 

Other stories you should check out:

Tan Tock Seng Hospital bars visitors after vaccinated nurse contracts COVID-19
Tan Tock Seng Hospital locks down second ward after vaccinated doctor and others test positive