Two more confirmed cases of Wuhan virus in Singapore, bringing the total to three

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed two more imported cases of novel coronavirus infection or the Wuhan virus in the country on Friday, January 24.

This brings the total number of infected patients in Singapore to three.

National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Photo courtesy: NCID
National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Photo courtesy: NCID

The second case was a 53 year-old female Chinese national from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore with her family on January 21. She is currently warded in an isolation room at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and her condition is stable.

Prior to hospital admission, the patient stayed at J8 Hotel at 8 Townshend Road and had visited Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. She had travelled on public transport, including MRT and taxi.

MOH said contact tracing has commenced, but added that the risk of infection from transient contact, such as on public transport or in public places, is assessed to be low. 

The third case is a 37 year-old male Chinese national from Wuhan, who is the son of the first confirmed case announced on January 23. MOH has initiated epidemiological investigations and contact tracing to identify individuals who had close contact with him. 

As of 12pm on January 24, MOH has been notified of a cumulative total of 44 suspect cases. Of which 13 have tested negative for coronavirus, and three have tested positive. Test results of the remaining 28 cases are pending, the ministry said. 

The first confirmed case of the Wuhan virus in Singapore was a 66 year-old male Chinese national from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore with his family on January 20. He is currently warded in an isolation room at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and his condition is stable.