Update On SARS - 3 Apr

03 Apr 2003

Situation update

As at 3 April, there were 2 additional SARS cases reported, which includes 1 more death. The total number of people who have recovered from SARS and have been discharged from hospital is 63. Thirty two patients are hospitalised, out of which 12 are in serious condition (including the fourth imported case). The cumulative total number of SARS cases to 100.

5th SARS Death

The first new case is a 78 year-old lady who was admitted into Tan Tock Seng Hospital from 20 to 24 March for steroid induced gastritis. She has multiple medical problems including severe lung disease unrelated to SARS. She was admitted to NUH from 25 to 27 Mar for chest pain and she received treatment for this. She did not have fever at that time. She was again admitted to NUH on 31 Mar. The diagnosis at the time of her latest admission to NUH was a worsening of her lung disease. She did not have any fever prior to this admission to NUH. It was only on 1st April that she developed a fever and was transferred to an isolation room at NUH. In view of her fever, worsening medical condition and history of being admitted to TTSH, a diagnosis of SARS was made and she was transferred to TTSH on 2 April and passed away just before midnight.

Update on Ngee Ann Polytechnic Student

The second new case of SARS is a 20-year old Malay student of Class 6B03 Ngee Ann Polytechnic, who was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on 30 March 03 for suspected SARS. He is the son of the 4th SARS patient who died in NUH on 31 March 03. The deceased was diagnosed as a SARS case on 30 March 03. The Ngee Ann student was diagnosed to be a SARS case today, and is currently in intensive care.

On 29 March 03, he called up his project teammate to inform him that he was not attending class as he was unwell. He then walked to the Bukit Batok Polyclinic. At the Polyclinic, he was immediately triaged according to standard procedure. As he was having fever, he was separated from the rest of the patients. The doctor and staff who attended to him in the isolation room were masked, gowned and gloved. He was seen by the polyclinic doctor at about 9.20 am. During the consultation with the doctor, he told the doctor that his mother was in intensive care at the National University Hospital.

He was then transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) by ambulance at about 10.20 am. During the consultation with the doctor, he told the doctor that his mother had travelled to Sarawak and that she was in NUH. There was no indication at that time that his mother had visited a friend in TTSH. In view that there was no contact history for SARS, he was discharged with advice to return if he continued to feel unwell. He was also put on daily telephone surveillance by TTSH. On 30 March 03, TTSH called him at home. Since he was still unwell, an ambulance was sent to bring him from his home to the A&E Dept of TTSH at about 17.30 pm. He was then admitted to TTSH.

So far, 25 close contacts have been identified and Home Quarantine Orders have been issued.

Safeguarding Public Transport

To minimise public exposure to SARS, MOH has made special arrangements for 4 categories of persons with a higher likelihood of being SARS patients to be transported to TTSH by private ambulance, so that they would not need to use the public transport system. The 4 categories are :

(a) Persons on Home Quarantine Order who develop SARS symptoms;

(b) Cases identified by General Practitioners and private dentists;

(c) Incoming Passengers who receive Travel Advisory and develop SARS symptoms subsequently; and

(d) Cases identified during medical screening at Changi Airport and Singapore Cruise Centre.

On notification of above cases, MOH will arrange for a private ambulance to pick them up and send them to TTSH directly for medical assessment.

Summary of SARS cases

Both new cases are linked to the first index case. To date, 93 cases have arisen from the first index case, comprising 47 family members, friends or close contacts, and 46 hospital staff. Among these are 3 children below 18 years of age.

So far, apart from the first imported case, the 6 other imported cases have not given rise to any SARS cases.

The number of suspect cases admitted is 38, including 2 children (below 18 years old).

Expanded list for travel advisory

MOH urges the public to heed World Health Organisation (WHO)'s advice to postpone travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong until another time. We would also like to advise the public to avoid travel to other SARS affected areas - Shanxi, Taiwan, Hanoi and Toronto, unless absolutely necessary.

Two passengers still missing

There has been no further update since yesterday's press statement. We are still unable to locate the remaining 2 passengers:

(a)Ho Kee Siong

(b)Wang Ying

MOH will continue to try to trace them based on information received from SIR as well as information received through the hotline. The Ministry urges these persons or anyone who knows their whereabouts to call 91788389 with the information.