Covid-19 Pandemic In Singapore

The National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) opened in 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic. This book is the result of many people from NCID, Singapore, and the world working to understand and contain the virus. It includes chapters on science, public health response, and personal reflections from NCID and Tan Tock Seng Hospital staff. The lessons learned from the early days of the pandemic are still relevant, and the chapters will be helpful as we review our experience and face the next emerging infectious disease.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 05 June 2022
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd

Introduction
The National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is a remarkable achievement that has emerged from years of meticulous planning and dedication. Officially opening its doors in September 2019, just months before the global COVID-19 pandemic would test the world, NCID represents a collective effort of countless individuals from NCID, Singapore, and around the globe. This book is the culmination of the tireless work of these individuals, as well as a broader community of experts from NCID, Singapore, and beyond.

The chapters within this book cover a wide range of topics, including science, public health response, and personal reflections. They shed light on the scientific challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the local and global public health efforts to contain it, and the human impact of the pandemic. The personal reflections from NCID and Tan Tock Seng Hospital staff, as well as staff from other public healthcare institutions deployed to NCID, provide a poignant glimpse into the lives of those on the front lines of the crisis.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the authors for their contributions to this book. Their thoughtful chapters and insightful comments have greatly enriched the manuscript. We also extend our appreciation to the senior academics and public health leaders who have provided valuable feedback on our work.

We hope that the readers of this book will gain a deeper understanding of the response to the pandemic from various perspectives. While the pandemic has evolved significantly since the early days depicted in this book, the lessons learned remain relevant. We believe that the chapters will be valuable as we reflect on our experiences and prepare for future emerging infectious diseases.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the response in Singapore to the pandemic in the critical initial months. It explores clinical, laboratory, epidemiology, research, community engagement, and the unprecedented challenge of managing outbreaks among migrant workers in dormitory settings. The personal accounts of staff at NCID who were at the forefront of battling COVID-19 in Singapore add a unique dimension to the narrative.

In conclusion, this book is a testament to the resilience and collaboration of the human spirit. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the response to the pandemic and provides insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that it will contribute to our collective efforts to combat future infectious diseases and build a more resilient and sustainable world.

ISBN-13: 9789811239373