SINGAPORE: Two passengers who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on a Singapore Airlines flight on Wednesday (Dec 1) have tested "preliminarily positive" for the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday.
"Both cases were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on Dec 1, and had not interacted in the community," said the ministry.
"There is currently no evidence of any community transmission from these cases."
The cases are currently recovering in isolation wards at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). Both are fully vaccinated, and have mild symptoms of cough and scratchy throat.
Both cases arrived from Johannesburg onboard SQ479 on Wednesday.
Case 271487 is a 44-year-old male Singapore permanent resident who arrived in Singapore from Mozambique, transiting through Johannesburg. His pre-departure test in Mozambique on Nov 29 was negative for COVID-19 infection.
Case 271598 is a 41-year-old female Singaporean who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on Dec 1. Her pre-departure test in Johannesburg on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection.
They had undergone a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival in Singapore, and were immediately conveyed to a stay-home notice dedicated facility to be isolated while awaiting their test results. Upon confirmation of COVID-19 infection, they were taken to NCID.
Their PCR test results have revealed the presence of S-gene Target Failure which may be associated with the Omicron variant. The National Public Health Laboratory is conducting whole genome sequencing to confirm the variant.
Contact tracing is ongoing, said MOH.
All 19 other passengers who came in on the same flight have tested negative for COVID-19 infection.
These individuals were all quarantined under SHN at designated facilities upon arrival and are subjected to a testing regime which includes an on-arrival PCR test and a stay-home notice exit PCR test.
Other close contacts of these cases, if any, will be placed on 10-day quarantine at designated facilities and undergo PCR tests at the start and end of their quarantine.
All patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant will be conveyed to NCID for isolation and clinical management. Home recovery will not apply.
"It is important for everyone to continue to play their part and remain vigilant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," said MOH.
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"Both cases were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on Dec 1, and had not interacted in the community," said the ministry.
"There is currently no evidence of any community transmission from these cases."
The cases are currently recovering in isolation wards at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). Both are fully vaccinated, and have mild symptoms of cough and scratchy throat.
Both cases arrived from Johannesburg onboard SQ479 on Wednesday.
Case 271487 is a 44-year-old male Singapore permanent resident who arrived in Singapore from Mozambique, transiting through Johannesburg. His pre-departure test in Mozambique on Nov 29 was negative for COVID-19 infection.
Case 271598 is a 41-year-old female Singaporean who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on Dec 1. Her pre-departure test in Johannesburg on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection.
They had undergone a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival in Singapore, and were immediately conveyed to a stay-home notice dedicated facility to be isolated while awaiting their test results. Upon confirmation of COVID-19 infection, they were taken to NCID.
Their PCR test results have revealed the presence of S-gene Target Failure which may be associated with the Omicron variant. The National Public Health Laboratory is conducting whole genome sequencing to confirm the variant.
CONTACT TRACING ONGOING
Contact tracing is ongoing, said MOH.
All 19 other passengers who came in on the same flight have tested negative for COVID-19 infection.
These individuals were all quarantined under SHN at designated facilities upon arrival and are subjected to a testing regime which includes an on-arrival PCR test and a stay-home notice exit PCR test.
Other close contacts of these cases, if any, will be placed on 10-day quarantine at designated facilities and undergo PCR tests at the start and end of their quarantine.
All patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant will be conveyed to NCID for isolation and clinical management. Home recovery will not apply.
"It is important for everyone to continue to play their part and remain vigilant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," said MOH.
Continue reading...