0:00 - THE BIG STORY

00:42 - MORE HOSPITALS SET UP TEMPORARY AREAS
Public hospitals here are using spaces set up with tents or other temporary structures to deal with the continuing flood of Covid-19 patients heading to their emergency departments. Read more: https://str.sg/3q5E

Last Friday (Oct 1), Khoo Teck Puat Hospital started receiving Covid-19 patients at temporary holding areas that it set up at Yishun Community Hospital. These holding areas are for those who require medical care while they wait to be transferred to a community care or treatment facility, the hospital said in a Sept 24 Facebook post.

1:24 - COVID-19 SINGAPORE UPDATE

3:03 - MORE DEMAND FOR NON-mRNA VACCINE BOOSTER SHOTS
Meanwhile, several private clinics here have been seeing a demand for Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines as booster shots for reasons including preference for traditional non-mRNA vaccines. Dr Alvin Neo, who is the head of clinical projects at Northeast Medical Group, tells us more on the situation that his clinics are experiencing.

IN PARLIAMENT

7:22 - BTO WAITING TIMES NOT 6-7 YEARS
The average waiting time for ongoing Build-to-Order (BTO) flats is between four and five years, even after taking into account delays brought about by the pandemic, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee. "Some have said that waiting times have risen to six to seven years. This is not the case," he told Parliament. Read more: https://str.sg/3q58

8:25 - YIP PIN XIU TO BE CONFERRED INAUGURAL PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu will be feted with an inaugural President’s Award for Inspiring Achievement, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong announced in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 5). Read more: https://str.sg/3q5d

10:27 - WORK BEING DONE TO INCREASE CASH REWARDS FOR PARA-ATHLETES
Mr Tong also responded to questions by MPs on reducing the disparity in cash rewards for able-bodied athletes and para-athletes, saying the Singapore National Paralympic Council is currently working on enhancing the cash payouts for para-athletes at major games. Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz shares more: https://str.sg/3q5n

#thebigstory #parliament #oneteamsg #paralympics #olympics #covid19

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