It was reported yesterday that two family members with symptoms from the same Indonesian family arrived in Singapore earlier to seek treatments (‘Two Indonesian family members with symptoms come to S’pore and admit themselves at SGH; both tested positive for Covid-19‘, 12 Mar).
Both Indonesians, a male and female, presented themselves at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on arrival. The man arrived in Singapore first on Sat (7 Mar). After he was tested positive for Covid-19 the next day, the woman immediately came to Singapore on Mon (9 Mar). She was also subsequently tested positive for Covid-19. Both are currently warded in SGH.
The man was reported to have even gone to a hospital in Jakarta to get treatment before coming to Singapore.
It’s not known how they managed to pass through the health monitoring stations when they arrived in Singapore since both already have onset of symptoms. It’s also not known if they practised any good social responsibility by wearing a mask in Singapore since they are not well.
Two more cases of Indonesians flying to Singapore for Covid-19 treatments
In any case, the Ministry of Health reported nine new cases of Covid-19 yesterday evening. More than half were imported cases.
Of the imported cases, Case 181 and Case 182 are another Indonesian couple who flew to Singapore carrying the Covid-19 virus with them. Both are also family members from the same family. One is a 83-year-old elderly man and the other a 76 year-old elderly woman.
Both arrived in Singapore on Monday (9 Mar) and admitted themselves in Gleneagles Hospital. Both were confirmed to be infected with the Covid-19 virus yesterday. They are now warded in Gleneagles Hospital.
Again, it’s not known if the two elderly Indonesian couple wore any masks when they arrived in Singapore, since they are not well. The government has told everyone to wear a mask only if one is not feeling well. Otherwise, there is no need to put on a mask.
The infected Indonesians may not necessarily have heard any health advisory from the Singapore government since they live in Indonesia.
If any of the infected Indonesians had not put on masks when arriving in Singapore, they might have contaminated various places, public transport, and even the plane they were travelling in, while on their way to seek treatments in Singapore hospitals.
It is noted that Indonesia is the 4th largest country in the world by population. However, as of Wed (11 Mar), only 34 confirmed cases were reported in Indonesia by its government.
PM Lee: Situation under control
Meanwhile, PM Lee told everyone on TV yesterday that the Covid-19 outbreak may continue for a year or longer as more imported cases are to be expected.
But he emphasised that the situation in Singapore is under control. The disease outbreak response level will not be stepped up to red, he said.
“We are not locking down our city like the Chinese, South Koreans or Italians have done.”
If Singaporeans keep their guard up and take practical precautions, the country will be able to keep its economy going and people will be able to carry on with their daily lives, he added.
