Covid‑19 Updates in Singapore
Two fresh coronavirus cases popped up at the Ministry of Health on Thursday, Feb 6, bringing the tally to 30 overall — 11 of those are Singaporeans.
Who’re the New Additions?
- First new case: A close buddy of a prior patient.
- Second new case: No recent China travel, seems unrelated to earlier infections.
The second case was confirmed late Wednesday night, and the MOH is still tracing every possible link. They’re especially keen on uncovering any hidden connections to past cases or to travellers from China.
History of Singapore’s Cases
Until now, every confirmed case has been either:
- Chinese nationals from Hubei, or
- People connected to Chinese travelers.
All of those patients have been isolated and “ring‑fenced” to keep the virus from spreading.
Heads‑Up from the Ministry
“We must stay alert for new infection clusters involving locals—without recent China travel or contact with Chinese travelers,” remarked the ministry.
Current Health Status
Both new patients are stable. Out of all 30, 25 cases are stable or improving, and one is already discharged. However:
- One patient has slipped into critical condition and is in ICU.
- The other needs extra oxygen support.
So, while the situation remains under control for the majority, a couple of folks are on the tougher side of the medical spectrum. Stay tuned for more updates as the MOH continues to keep a vigilant eye on the community.
DETAILS ON NEW CASES
Singapore’s Latest COVID‑19 Ups and Downs
Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Singapore picks up two fresh cases, both with zero recent travel to China. Let’s dive into the juicy details.
Case 1: The 41‑Year‑Old Singaporean
- Jan 28 – Fevers hit.
- Went to a GP the next day, then another on Jan 30, finally admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Monday.
- Confirmed infected Wednesday night.
- Transferred to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) for isolation.
MOH is pulling the usual leg‑work: interviewing the patient, his close contacts, and sketching out the spots he’d been to. No links to known cases so far—so far the plot is still a mystery.
Case 2: The 27‑Year‑Old Singaporean
- Attended a conference at Grand Hyatt Singapore Jan 20‑22.
- Participants included Chinese folks from Hubei, two South Korean men, and a Malaysian man—who all ended up having COVID‑19 after leaving Singapore.
- Confirmed infected Thursday; now in NCID isolation.
That conference is the fashion‑forward way to spread a virus—just look at the dozen‑person gathering of people from all over the world.
Singapore’s Full COVID‑19 Snapshot
After Japan’s 45 cases, Singapore ranks second worldwide for coronavirus infections outside of China.
On Wednesday, four new cases hit MOH, including the youngest patient: a six‑month‑old baby born to a couple—who themselves were infected. Their maid is in the mix too.
Three of Wednesday’s cases stem from Singapore’s inaugural “local cluster”. One imported case came from a Chinese tourist hailing from Wuhan.
Clusters in Focus
The newest cluster ties back to a @20‑person tour group from Guangxi, China. They stopped by the Yong Thai Hang health‑products shop on Cavan Road, Lavender. With the latest numbers, the group now accounts for seven confirmed infections.
Chinese health authorities raised the bar by confirming two more travelers from that group are infected.
Global Toll & Broader Impact
- 2019‑nCov – emerged in Wuhan last December. Out here, it’s humming louder than the old SARS.
- Over 28,000 infected worldwide, more than 560 deaths.
- Hong Kong’s first death reported Tuesday; the second fatality outside mainland China. The victim was a 39‑year‑old man with underlying illness, who had been hopping high‑speed trains between Hong Kong, Wuhan, and Changsha.
International Playbook
- Three business travelers (one Malaysian, two South Korean) from the Grand Hyatt conference were flagged infected on Wednesday.
- Malaysia confirmed the sister of the infected Malaysian man was infected after he returned home.
- Grand Hyatt says <= 109 people attended; 15 were Singapore residents, the remaining 94 fled Singapore.
- WHO has opened an investigation into this cluster.
The aftermath has seen countries – Italy, U.S., Australia, Japan, Russia, Singapore – slam the travel brakes. Germany, France, and the U.S. even airlifted citizens from China. Flights to China are excessively curtailed, sparking whispers of an economic slowdown.
Singapore’s Response
- Mask distribution rollout to community centers and resident committee centers across the island started last Saturday.
- The government promised 4 masks per household for all 1.3 million homes on Jan 30, after a scare that shops had run out.
- Starting Tuesday, large gatherings and communal activities—including assemblies, excursions, schools, preschools, and eldercare centers—will be suspended from Wednesday.
Stay tuned for updates on the Wuhan virus. The official article first appeared in the Straits Times. Permissions are needed to reprint.
