SINGAPORE: Quarantine orders have been rescinded for the close contacts of an 83-year-old cruise passenger who initially tested positive for COVID-19, but has since tested negative three times, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday (Dec 10) afternoon.
Quarantine orders were placed on close contacts as a "precautionary measure" while investigations were ongoing, MOH added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementA final confirmatory test conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) on Thursday has confirmed that the 83-year-old who was on board the Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas cruise does not have COVID-19 infection.
“The sample taken from the individual this morning came back negative for the virus. This follows two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted yesterday by NPHL, one on a re-test of his original sample, and the other on a fresh sample taken yesterday, which had also come back negative,” said MOH.
"MOH will support the laboratory on board the Quantum of the Seas in its review of its testing processes," it added.
On Wednesday morning, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship returned to Singapore a day ahead of schedule after the 83-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID-19 while on board the vessel.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe man reported on Tuesday evening to the ship's medical centre with diarrhoea. He was tested for COVID-19 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test equipment on board the ship as part of the protocols, said MOH on Wednesday.
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