I have received many messages from you expressing concerns about the Wuhan coronavirus. I fully understand your feelings. We are all worried for ourselves and our loved ones, here and overseas.
The situation is developing rapidly. We have activated our contingency plans, and all our agencies are working together. Our hospitals and healthcare workers are well prepared. We have been preparing for something like this ever since SARS in 2003.
Meanwhile, scientists and medical professionals across the world are working around the clock to understand the virus and develop a vaccine. Experts think the Wuhan virus may be less lethal than SARS, but more infectious. Patients who are infected may possibly be contagious before symptoms show. If true, this will make it harder to screen and detect new cases, and to stop the spread.
So far, all seven confirmed cases in Singapore are Chinese nationals from Hubei. We have not had local transmission or community spread yet, but that can happen, and we must be prepared for it. Meanwhile, we have suspended entry into or transit through Singapore for people who have recently travelled to Hubei, and those with PRC passports issued in Hubei. We will quarantine Singapore residents and those holding long term passes who are returning here, who have recently visited Hubei.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and do more if necessary. Meanwhile, we should all remain calm. All of us can do our part to limit transmission of germs by practising good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly, and seek medical advice early and wear a mask if you feel unwell. But in general, there is no need to wear a mask if you are not ill.
Also please do not listen to or spread rumours and untrue reports — alas there is a lot of that circulating around, on WhatsApp and social media. Sharing news responsibly is an important way we can protect ourselves.
You can get updated with the latest information from trusted sources here:
1. Ministry of Health, Singapore website: http://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
2. Gov.sg WhatsApp push notification: sign-up at go.gov.sg/whatsapp
3. CNA microsite: cna.asia/wuhan-virus
4. 8视界新闻新加坡 8world News microsite:
www.8world.com/…/greater-ch…/specialreport/wuhan-virus/basic
5. The Straits Times microsite:
https://www.straitstimes.com/wuhan-virus-outbreak
6: Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 microsite:
www.zaobao.com.sg/ke…/fight-wuhan-coronavirus-misinformation
7. Factually
www.gov.sg/factually
– LHL
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