Three more confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in Singapore

              As of 7 February 2020, 2pm, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed three additional cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in Singapore. While contact tracing is underway, there are not yet any links to previous cases or travel history to China.

About the confirmed cases

Case 31

2.               The case is a 53 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China, but had been in Malaysia on 6, 11 and 17 January 2020. He is currently warded in an isolation room at Changi General Hospital (CGH).

3.               He reported onset of symptoms on 23 January, and had visited a general practitioner (GP) clinic on the same day. He visited another GP clinic on 28 January, and was admitted to CGH on 1 February. Subsequent test results confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on 6 February at about 11pm.

4.               He stays at Tampines Street 24. Prior to hospital admission, he had been to The Life Church and Missions Singapore (146B Paya Lebar Road) and had gone visiting family and friends during Chinese New Year.

Case 32

5.               Case 32 is a 42 year-old female Singapore Citizen who has no recent travel history to mainland China. She is currently warded in an isolation room at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

6.               She reported onset of symptoms on 2 February and was admitted to Parkway East Hospital on 5 February. Subsequent test results confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on 6 February at about 11pm.

7.               Prior to hospital admission, she worked at Victoria Junior College, but had not interacted with her colleagues and students after onset of symptoms. She stays at Elias Road and had visited Changi Airport and Singapore Zoo.

Case 33

8.               Case 33 is a 39 year-old female Singapore Citizen who has no recent travel history to mainland China, but who had been in Malaysia from 22 to 29 January. She is currently warded in an isolation room at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH).

9.               She reported that she had developed symptoms on 30 January, and went to the emergency department at SKH on 2 February where she was admitted. Subsequent test results confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on 6 February at about 11pm.

Case 30 (announced on 6 February)

10.           Case 30 is a 27 year-old male Singapore Citizen who had attended a private business meeting at Grand Hyatt Singapore from 20 to 22 January, and was confirmed to have 2019-nCoV infection on 6 February at about 2pm.

11.           He reported onset of fever on 21 January and visited a GP clinic on 28 January. He sought treatment at another GP clinic on 3 February before being admitted to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases on 6 February.

12.           Prior to hospital admission, he had gone to Far East Square (19 China Street) and Junction 8 (9 Bishan Place), and stays at Shunfu Road.

Update on condition of confirmed cases

13.           Amongst the confirmed cases, two have been discharged. Of the remaining 31, most are stable or improving. Two are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Health advisory

14.           Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel to Hubei Province and all non-essential travel to Mainland China.

15.           All travellers should monitor their health closely for two weeks upon return to Singapore and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell. Travellers should inform their doctor of their travel history. If they have a fever or respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath), they should wear a mask and call the clinic ahead of the visit.

16.           Travellers and members of the public should adopt the following precautions at all times:
·       Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness;
·       Observe good personal hygiene;
·       Practise frequent hand washing with soap (e.g. before handling food or eating, after going to toilet, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing);
·       Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath;
·       Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately; and
·       Seek medical attention promptly if you are feeling unwell.

17.           MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely. As medical practitioners are on the lookout for suspect cases who have recently been in China, Singapore is likely to see more cases that will need to be investigated.