We have no idea how the virus invaded in and there was no time to ponder the why and how. What was left for us to do is to quickly take immediate actions - What do I do next?
In order not to overload the hospital resources to care for critical patients, home recovery is the default care management model for majority of the covid cases moving forward. While it is more comfortable to recuperate at home, there are definitely lapse, confusion and frustration throughout the process which will need more time, manpower and revisions for the system to be re-evaluated to smooth the waiting and support process.
TESTED ART POSITIVE
When my boy informed us that he was tested positive for his Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the clinic in the morning, my heart skipped a beat and sank.
1) Go Home Immediately
What went through next on my mind was to quickly isolate myself and get everyone home from where we were immediately while waiting for his PCR result.
For safety concerns and prevention of any further possible transmissions, do not take public transport. Take a private hire/cab.
What happened from the time we reached home was Chaotic....
2) Isolate affected family member
My boy was immediately isolated in his room upon returning home and wears a mask whenever he leaves the room for toilet break. Designated toilet, room planning and route was planned while waiting for confirmation of his PCR.
3) ART for family members
Thanks to the free ART kits that the government has distributed to each household earlier, we were able to perform our own self test - All Negative. That was a temporary relief. Next was to inform school and workplace of ART result.
4) Notify close contacts
Immediate family members, schools, workplace, tuition centres etc were contacted to give them the first alert
Then... it was the dreadful wait........
TESTED PCR POSITIVE
The wait was not too long to prolong our agony and we got the result on the same afternoon. My boy's PCR result is Positive. Somehow, though we expected the outcome, we were praying for a glimpse of hope.
1) QO Registration & Recovery Plans
- Open Trace Together App & upload data (instructions will be provided in a sms)
We followed the instructions sent out in the SMS to register our family member as close contact in the household and also the Covid Recovery Arrangement moving forward. This is an important step to be done immediately for MOH to identify the immediate contacts at risk.
2) Update close contacts
The impact of a Covid positive case is significant for many parties - particularly workplace and schools. Through the day, we were busy making phone calls, updating all close contacts and a lot of questions started pouring in. There were also concern of our health status being household members of a Covid patient even though we did not exhibit any Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms.
3) SMS from MOH - issue of Health Risk Warning
We knew that we have to stay home and isolate ourselves while waiting for MOH to give us some directions on the next step forward.
Our first SMS from MOH came about 4 hours after my boy's positive PCR result and the rest of the family members were issued a Health Risk Warning (HRW) for 10 days which requires us to undertake two mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests (First and Last day of the isolation period) and 2-3 ART on the specific dates that was indicated on the SMS and upload the results.
The baffling question was why the dates of infection and isolation period are different for each of us. Nevertheless, we followed the instructions per individual SMS.
Hubby, my girl and myself were also eligible to collect free ART kits from the vending machines located at selected venues. Do note that only residents* who received the SMS from MOH will be eligible and each person may collect 1 pack containing 3 ART self-test kits. Residents will need to bring along their NRIC/FIN with barcode to scan at the vending machine to collect the kits.
*Latest update - each will now get 6 ART kits.
We quickly locate the nearest testing centre/clinic for our PCR, called the clinic to make an appointment for our PCR swab. Do note that you need to bring along your NRIC, and show them the HRW SMS. The full cost of the PCR is borne by the government. We quickly collected our ART self-test kit on our way home after our PCR test.
Back home, we were still busy handling phone calls, with a lot of questions still pouring in as different parties are busy getting information of close contacts in detail. For our teen who was unwell and isolated alone in the bedroom, he has to answer all the questions from school, managed the calls from MOH, and most importantly coping with his emotional well-being. We can only check-in on him through whatsapp call and pray that everyone is safe.
On a side note, I thought it is important to set aside a Covid-ready Care kit which include oximeter, thermometer for each household member, medications, ART kits etc. It will definitely comes in handy especially when we are thrown into an emergency situation, and needing medical supplies while serving isolation.
Day 1 has been a roller coaster ride for us from our boy's first day of exposure. I think we did what we could as there was so much information to digest in a span of a single day! In the midst of the chaos, I was really thankful to have the support and understanding from friends and colleagues who were affected.
More has yet to come but we will take baby steps and cross the hurdle in our fight with Covid.
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Sharing our Covid Home Recovery Journey, our experience and hopefully you may find this helpful if you feel stuck during this difficult time.
The system will probably need more time to be reviewed and revised before it can be more seamless in the near future.
*** Updated: After Oct 10, PCR is no longer required on Day 6 for C+ patients. C+ patients will be automatically discharged after 10 days (fully vaccinated & children age 12 and below) and 14 days (unvaccinated / partially vaccinated individuals above 12 years old).
No more QO, LOA, AA as all close contacts will be placed under HRW instead.
Changes to Home Recovery Programme: https://www.covid.gov.sg/resources/protocol-changes/9-oct
Useful Links
Living with Covid Guide: https://www.covid.gov.sg/
Students taking National Exams: https://www.seab.gov.sg/home/covid-19-updates
Venue of vending machine for *free ART kit: www.gowhere.gov.sg/art
*Only for residents who received SMS from MOH. Bring along NRIC/FIN
Telemedicine Provider: go.gov.sg/telemedicineproviders
Enquiry Line
Home Recovery Buddy - 6874 4939
Covid-ready care kit to have at home enough for all household members
- Antigen Rapid Test (ART) self-test kits
- Thermometers
- Oximeter (at least one)
- Medications (Panadol, Flu, Cough etc)
Disclaimer: This document our family's home recovery journey and all comments and opinions are personal,
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