Wuhan virus: 2nd Singaporean among 2 new cases, total at 18
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed on two more imported cases of the Wuhan coronavirus infection in Singapore on Saturday (1 February), with a second Singaporean among the new cases.
The 47-year-old female Singaporean had travelled to Wuhan, and was one of the 92 Singaporeans evacuated from the Chinese city on Thursday. She was asymptomatic when she boarded the flight, but upon arrival at Changi Airport on the same day, she was found to have a fever during medical screening.
She was conveyed to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, where she tested positive for Wuhan virus infection on Friday at about 11pm. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID.
The second case involved a 31-year-old female Chinese national who arrived in Singapore on 22 January. She was tested positive for the Wuhan virus infection on Saturday at about 2pm. She is also warded in an isolation room at NCID.
The two new cases brings the total of cases of infection in Singapore to 18. All cases have recent travel history to Wuhan. There is currently no evidence of community spread in Singapore.
Update on 16th case
MOH also provided more information on the 16th case, which was announced on Friday. The 38-year-old patient, a male Chinese national, arrived in Singapore from Wuhan on 22 January and was asymptomatic during his flight to Singapore.
He subsequently developed symptoms on 23 January and reported that he had stayed at his home at Nathan Road until Wednesday, when he took a taxi to Singapore General Hospital. He was classified as a suspect case and immediately isolated.
Subsequent test results confirmed Wuhan virus infection on Friday at about 2pm. He is currently warded in an isolation room at SGH.
MOH has initiated epidemiological investigations and contact tracing to identify individuals who had close contact with the cases.
All 18 cases in stable condition, most improving
For the 16 previously-announced cases, none are critically ill. All remain in stable condition, and most are improving.
As of Saturday noon, 231 of the suspect cases have tested negative for the Wuhan virus. Test results for the remaining 25 cases are pending.
Contact tracing for the confirmed cases is ongoing. As of Saturday 12pm, MOH has identified 245 close contacts. Of the 177 who are still in Singapore, 172 have been contacted and are being quarantined or isolated. Efforts are ongoing to contact the remaining five close contacts.
Travel advisory for Singaporeans to mainland China
Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel to Hubei Province and all non-essential travel to mainland China.
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.
Travellers and members of the public should adopt the following precautions at all times:
MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely. As medical practitioners are on the lookout for cases with pneumonia who have recently been in China, Singapore is likely to see more suspect cases that will need to be investigated.
Related stories:
Wuhan virus: 1st Singaporean among 3 new cases, total at 16
Ministerial statements on Wuhan virus outbreak to be delivered in Parliament on Monday
Wuhan virus: MTI, MOH issue correction directions over fake news
Wuhan virus: MOE urges those on leave to be 'responsible'
Wuhan virus: 3 more confirmed cases in Singapore, total at 13
Wuhan virus: The Singaporeans who chose to remain in Hubei
Wuhan virus: Pack of 4 face masks to be distributed to each of 1.3 million households
3 in 5 Singaporeans fearful of contracting Wuhan virus: survey
