By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 June 2009 2029 hrs
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the Asian Youth Games (AYG) said Tuesday they are not planning to test all athletes for the H1N1 virus.
So far, five footballers taking part in the AYG have tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
They are undergoing treatment while their team mates have been quarantined.
Still, the organisers said present measures are adequate.
Said Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC): "There is no reason to do anything more. At this point of time it is reviewing process that we had not any gaps in the flow and having two cases allowed us to review and look at it."
The measures in place include having thermal scanners at the Village and competition venues, and issuing medical kits for all athletes and foreign media.
After the latest cases were detected, temperature is now taken three times daily for athletes staying on the same floor as the affected teams.
But with a thousand more athletes expected by Friday, there could be more cases surfacing.
Despite the flu threat, organisers said they have no plans to postpone or cancel the Games as such a decision will only be made in consultation with Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
However, organisers assured that they will be open and transparent with all information regarding the H1N1 flu.
The organisers said they are still deciding if the Philippines and Hong Kong teams, both of which have been quarantined, will be able to compete.
The Operations Centre hotline, which started running since last week, has received queries from some foreign embassies asking about the contingency plans that the Singapore organisers have put in place to contain the virus.
- CNA/yb
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the Asian Youth Games (AYG) said Tuesday they are not planning to test all athletes for the H1N1 virus.So far, five footballers taking part in the AYG have tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
They are undergoing treatment while their team mates have been quarantined.
Still, the organisers said present measures are adequate.
Said Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC): "There is no reason to do anything more. At this point of time it is reviewing process that we had not any gaps in the flow and having two cases allowed us to review and look at it."
The measures in place include having thermal scanners at the Village and competition venues, and issuing medical kits for all athletes and foreign media.
After the latest cases were detected, temperature is now taken three times daily for athletes staying on the same floor as the affected teams.
But with a thousand more athletes expected by Friday, there could be more cases surfacing.
Despite the flu threat, organisers said they have no plans to postpone or cancel the Games as such a decision will only be made in consultation with Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
However, organisers assured that they will be open and transparent with all information regarding the H1N1 flu.
The organisers said they are still deciding if the Philippines and Hong Kong teams, both of which have been quarantined, will be able to compete.
The Operations Centre hotline, which started running since last week, has received queries from some foreign embassies asking about the contingency plans that the Singapore organisers have put in place to contain the virus.
- CNA/yb
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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