The Ministry of Health, Singapore (MOH) announced on 22 January 2020 that it has set up a ministerial task force to deal with the novel coronavirus.
“It is inevitable that we will see an imported case sooner or later,” said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, adding that this is because of the evolving situation and the high volume of traffic in and out of Singapore.
He said, “I think it’s better for us to pre-empt some of these potential risks and do what we can to mitigate the risk. … Given that many features of the new coronavirus are unknown, it is better for us to take precautions, and to ensure that we protect Singaporeans.”
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), said that while Singapore is vulnerable to such outbreaks, the country is better prepared than it was during SARS.
“The healthcare system and hospitals are far better prepared today, with improved surveillance systems, medication and equipment (including masks) stockpiles, and a state-of-the-art 330-bed facility in the National Centre for Infectious Diseases that was built precisely to avoid a repeat of the SARS debacle,” he said.
Nonetheless, the public should take personal precautions to protect themselves during this period, including frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with those who are unwell, and wearing a mask when ill. Travellers should avoid non-essential travel to Wuhan, and exercise caution and attention to personal hygiene when travelling to the rest of China.
Media coverage:
- Asia taking no chances with new China virus as WHO meeting looms, Al Jazeera, 22 January 2020
- Wuhan virus revives post-SARS worries in Singapore, UNTV, 23 January 2020
- Wuhan virus in Singapore: What can you do?, Channel NewsAsia, 24 January 2020
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