The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed today (9 Feb) that there are 3 new coronavirus cases in Singapore.
Among them are 2 Singaporeans and 1 foreign worker, according to The Straits Times (ST).
All three have no links to previous cases.
Besides having no links to previous cases, ST also reports that they have no recent travel history to China.
This means that MOH will have to conduct contact tracing to identify any possible clusters in case of a communal spread.
One of the 2 Singaporeans is a 71-year-old grandfather, who had visited the following places:
The other Singaporean is a 54-year-old Resorts World Sentosa Employee who had only gone to work once, but mostly stayed at home prior to noticing symptoms.
The 39-year-old foreign worker had visited Mustafa Centre in Little India.
All three are currently in isolation at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
Amidst the rise in number of cases, there is some good news as ST adds that 4 more patients have recovered.
This brings the total number of patients discharged from hospital up to 6, from the previous 2.
The higher number is encouraging, though perhaps not enough to alleviate concerns.
News of 4 patients in critical condition may have scared many who are already anxious about the virus and DORSCON orange.
Perhaps worsening our worries is that 2 more patients are now in critical condition, bringing the total number to 6.
While not a large number, 6 people out of 43 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is very worrying as it points at how serious the infection can be.
Despite the rising numbers, there have been no new advisories from the government.
DORSCON remains at orange, so what we should do right now is follow measures like regular temperature checks and to stay at home if feeling unwell.
Do your due responsibility as a citizen and help to ensure that you, your loved ones and everyone around you remains safe from infection.
We really hope the viral spread will end soon, so we can return to our lives as per normal.
Featured image adapted from AFP.
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