Playing a Part in COVID-19 Response Efforts

POSTED ON BY Aw Jeanice

In response to the spread of the novel Coronavirus during the earlier part of 2020, Singapore moved quickly to repurpose numerous venues across the island to isolate and care for the infected. During which, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum played a part in ensuring two such temporary accommodations were safe for use.

An Entomological Consult

The museum’s entomologists were asked by the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) Community Care and Recovery Facility Committee to help assess the Temp Dorm @ Kranji and outdoor Community Recovery Facility next to the CEC for harmful or nuisance insects that could affect the well-being of migrant workers housed there.

The Changi Exhibition Centre integrated community care and recovery facility. Photo by Foo Maosheng / LKCNHM

Starting from May 2020, a team of four entomologists (Mr Foo Maosheng, Dr Hwang Wei Song, Dr Ang Yuchen and Dr Wendy Wang) conducted trapping surveys around the recovery facilities. The collected insects were sorted and identified in our research laboratories to check for disease-transmitting vectors, insects that can damage infrastructure, or other swarming nuisance insects.

“From the insects identified, we can know better on what mitigation measures are more effective to reduce or prevent the likelihood of the above,” Maosheng explained.

A mercury light trap set-up at the temporary dormitory at Kranji. Photo by Foo Maosheng / LKCNHM
Malaise trap set-up at the temporary dormitory at Kranji. Photo by Foo Maosheng / LKCNHM

Based on the field surveys and laboratory work, our staff proposed mitigation measures, such as the installation of decoy floodlights to draw away swarming insects that might otherwise enter tentage housing the patients. They also recommended the type of light that deters light-seeking insects, for use within the facilities.

The Changi Exhibition Centre integrated Community Care and Recovery Facility. Video by Mediacorp, Channel 8 News

Celebrating a Milestone

As the outbreak was brought under control, Singapore’s first integrated Community Care and Recovery Facility at the CEC was officially mothballed after four operational months. To mark the significant milestone, a Standing Down ceremonial event was held at the CEC on 25 August 2020.

In his Facebook post, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen wrote: “We celebrate openings, but today’s celebration was for a closing – after months of operations and having cared for over 14,000 recovering COVID-19 patients, the Changi Exhibition Centre Community Care and Recovery Facility was stood down.”

The various stakeholders were invited to the event, and Maosheng represented the museum in receiving a token of appreciation from the Senior Minister of State for Defence (SMS) Mr Zaqy Mohamad.

SMS Mr Zaqy Mohamad and stakeholders at the Standing Down ceremonial event at Changi Exhibition Centre on 25 August 2020. Photo courtesy of the Changi Exhibition Centre Community Care and Recovery Facility Committee
A token of appreciation to the museum, presented to Mr Foo Maosheng by SMS Mr Zaqy Mohamad.

The setting up of the outdoor Community Recovery Facility next to CEC appeared on the news in July 2020. Read more here:

Kok, Y. (2020, June 7). Coronavirus: New facility at Changi to house 1,700 more recovering cases. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-facility-at-changi-to-house-1700-more-recovering-cases

Yip, Y. H. (2020, June 7). 【冠状病毒19】樟宜展览中心扩充结合社区康复设施 正式投入运作. Mediacorp Channel 8 News. https://www.8world.com/news/singapore/article/covid-19-changi-exhibition-centre-community-recovery-facility-1155371