VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Director of medical services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Singapore, Kenneth Mak, at a media conference in Singapore on Wednesday (Feb 12), confirmed three new cases of the COVID-19. Channel News Asia has reported with the three new cases, the number of cases in Singapore has touched 50. The Director revealed two of the new cases are employees of the Grace Assembly of God church and the third person works at the DBS bank in the Marina Bay Financial Centre. The three patients have no recent travel history to mainland China.

In response to this incident, the church announced on its Facebook page that services and activities will be suspended for the next two weeks. DBS has taken precautionary measures and has asked all its employees at the Marina Bay Financial Centre to work from home. CNA reported that the bank is conducting contact tracing with all employees and any others the infected person may have come into contact with. Director Mak said the Government has identified several links to certain clusters through epidemiological and contact tracing processes.

“Several of the cases are linked to the Life Church and Missions at Singapore and this was previously announced as well. There are also nine confirmed cases that were linked to the cluster associated with Yong Thai Hang and this is associated with the tour group that had come from China. Three confirmed cases are linked to a private business meeting held at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Two other confirmed cases are linked to a work site at Selita Aerospace Heights. Two new cases both of which are linked to Greece Assembly of God Church. We have noticed that several clusters are associated with places where people might aggregate together for activities. And this includes the church. And we would want to remind all, particularly members of the congregation or for these churches to continue to monitor themselves and make sure that they remain in good health. And if they find that they are unwell particularly with respiratory symptoms, we would encourage them then to see a doctor as soon as possible, to wear a mask on the way to see a doctor. And also, while they are not well, not to travel and carry on their normal activities," Director MAk said.

The Director said the virus transfers through droplets or contamination of surfaces. He stressed that there was no established evidence of the transfer of the virus through air and advised people to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and also be mindful of the things they commonly touch.

CNA reported the number of patients who have recovered from the COVID-19 rose to 15 on Wednesday, with six more people being discharged. South Korea and Israel have told their citizens to defer travel to Singapore, while Indonesia and Taiwan have recommended precautions to be taken when visiting the country. (CNA/VOI/SAYEE SHREE L.R/AHM)