Previously, there were 3 locally transmitted cases (31, 33 and 38) with perceivably no links to other cases. Neither have the 3 travelled to China recently. It has now been established that the 3 Singaporeans are linked to an infected Chinese couple from Wuhan, who arrived here 3 weeks ago (19 Jan), through a church in Paya Lebar.
Case 31 is a 53 year-old male Singaporean who reported onset of symptoms on 23 Jan, and who had visited a clinic on the same day. He visited another GP on 28 Jan, and was admitted to CGH on 1 Feb. Subsequent test results confirmed he has been infected with the coronavirus on 6 Feb. 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 33 is a 39 year-old female Singaporean who reported that she had developed symptoms on 30 Jan. She went to the emergency department at SKH on 2 Feb where she was admitted. Subsequent test results confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on 6 Feb.
Case 38 is a 52-year old female Singaporean who reported onset of symptoms on 3 Feb. She visited Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic on 4 Feb. She was admitted to NCID on 7 Feb. Subsequent test results confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on 8 Feb. Prior to hospital admission, she had visited The Life Church and Missions, Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown and Plaza Singapura and had travelled by public transport. She stays at Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3.
These 3 cases have been established to be linked to cases 8 and 9, as reported 12 days ago (29 Jan).
Cases 8 and 9 are a PRC married couple from Wuhan who arrived together in Singapore on 19 Jan. Both cases reported that they were asymptomatic during the flight to Singapore. They subsequently developed symptoms on 24 Jan, and took a taxi to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on 27 Jan. They were classified as suspect cases and were immediately isolated. Subsequent test results confirmed Wuhan coronavirus infection on 28 Jan and 29 Jan respectively. Prior to hospital admission, they stayed at their home at Lorong Lew Lian.
However, investigations subsequently found out that the PRC couple had actually attended The Life Church and Missions at Paya Lebar, the same church attended by the 3 Singaporeans.
Church closed to public
Responding to media enquiry, a spokesperson for The Life Church and Missions said, “When the church got to know of the first case on Feb 7, right on the day itself, we engaged a professional cleaning company to disinfect our entire premises.”
The church has also decided to suspend meetings for at least two weeks and will monitor the situation to see if meetings have to be postponed even longer, it said.
The church premises has been closed since Friday. Only a few authorised personnel are allowed access, said the church spokesperson. The church has posted an advisory on its website and is assisting police with contact tracing, meaning to say more people who attend The Life Church and Missions may be quarantined.
Its Sunday service was livestreamed to members and is available on Youtube. “When the church reopens for service again, we will abide by the advisory of MOH and perform temperature screening to look out for worshippers who may be feeling unwell. We will also prepare masks for those who have the need for them,” it said.
“Our church will pray for those who are infected and those who are deeply concerned over the virus, and we also seek prayers from all to tide through this crisis together.”
