Singapore has confirmed its first four local human-to-human transmission of the Novel Coronavirus, announced the Ministry of Health on 4 February 2020.
Three of the local transmission cases can be traced to recent tourists from mainland China, who are believed to have been the source of the infection.
Two are retail workers from health product shop Yong Thai Hang. Both are female aged 28 and 48, respectively. Meanwhile, the third case is a 32-year-old female tour guide.
The fourth case is a 44-year-old domestic employee of one of the infected retail workers.
All four cases have no recent travel history to China.
According to MOH, though the four constitute a local transmission cluster, there is yet no evidence of widespread, sustained community transmission in Singapore.
The authorities have commenced contact tracing of individuals who have had close contact with these cases.
“The cases of limited community transmission are not unexpected. This is a scenario we have prepared for, and we are ready to manage. We have earlier built multiple lines of defence to reduce the risk of imported cases and local community transmission … As the situation evolves, we will step up our posture accordingly to further contain the transmission,” said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.
As an added measure, the Government will enhance environmental cleaning and encourage additional cleaning for high human traffic premises. Examples of these places include food and beverage establishments, shopping malls and hotels.
Schools will also adopt measures to avoid large gatherings. Additionally, eldercare facilities will suspend excursions and large-scale gatherings.
The Government will also be contacting persons who have had close contact with travellers from China, as an added precautionary measure. If they are unwell, these individuals will be assessed and quarantined if necessary.
The four local transmission cases were identified as a result of enhanced surveillance at Singapore’s hospitals, according to MOH.
The four human-to-human transmissions were part of the latest six additional cases of the coronavirus infection.
The other two confirmed cases were part of the Singapore resident group evacuated from Wuhan on 30 January 2020.
MOH added: “It is possible that there could be broader community spread despite our best efforts. Should that happen, we will consider additional measures to reduce human-to-human interactions, such as cancelling mass gatherings, suspending schools, and paring down non-essential care services, to slow the spread of the disease.”
