By A 47-year-old woman who had recently travelled to Wuhan has been confirmed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Fri (31 Jan) as the first Singaporean with the Wuhan novel coronavirus.
MOH said today that the woman, who was one of the Singaporeans who were evacuated from the Chinese city on Thu (30 Jan), did not exhibit any symptoms upon boarding the Scoot flight.
However, a medical screening upon her arrival at Changi Airport revealed that she had a fever. She was then taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), where she was tested positive for the coronavirus infection.
The woman is currently quarantined in an isolation room at the centre.
MOH said that two other cases were confirmed, which brings up the total number of confirmed cases in Singapore to 16 as at 2pm today.
The Ministry added that the three new cases — alongside the previously announced 13 cases — are currently in stable condition, and that the many of the 13 patients are showing improvement in their condition.
S’poreans advised to postpone all travel arrangements to Hubei Province, adopt precautions including wearing masks: MOH
MOH last Thu said that a Chinese national — who is a resident of the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak — had developed a fever and cough the day after his arrival in Singapore on 20 Jan.
The 66-year-old man was then immediately admitted and isolated upon his arrival at the SGH Emergency Department on 22 Jan, where he was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia. MOH was notified of his case. The next day, he tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first confirmed case in the Republic.
In light of the outbreak, the Government has released an advisory for Singaporeans to postpone 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,” added MOH.
MOH also reminded members of the public to practice the following at all times:
- Avoid contact with live animals including poultry and birds, and consumption of raw and undercooked meats;
- 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.