ART Kits to Be Distributed Nationwide to Support Self-Testing Amid Rise in COVID-19 Cases

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be distributing antigen rapid test (ART) kits nationwide starting July 18 to encourage Singaporeans to conduct self-testing. Ten ART kits shall be distributed to every residence.

The MOH made the announcement on June 27 as it reported that the rise in COVID-19 cases was driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. It said that around 45% of the cases in the community in the previous week were cases with BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, with the BA.5 subvariant alone contributing to 40% of all the cases in the previous week.

The MOH said the two variants do not result in severer outcomes unlike the Omicron strains, thus it will not be changing the Safe Management Measures (SMMs) as of this time. However, it said that regular testing for those who are unwell and will be visiting immunocompromised loved ones is recommended.

Lower-income households who need more ART kits for self-testing may request for additional kits from Social Service Offices (SSOs) and Family Service Centres (FSC), granted that they are beneficiaries of these centres.

The MOH will also work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) so students from lower-income households will have access to ART kits.

Nevertheless, the health ministry reiterated that the most important step to protect oneself from COVID-19 is through vaccinations and boosters and encouraged Singaporeans to get their shots.

"From 27 June 2022, Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVTs) have been deployed to selected heartland locations to make it even more convenient for our seniors to get vaccinated and boosted," the MOH said.

"The MVTs will be deployed at selected Residents’ Committee Centres at residential blocks and Community Centres. Each MVT will be deployed at a given site for two days before moving on to the next location."