SINGAPORE: There are a total of 13 confirmed Wuhan virus cases in Singapore, after the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported on Thursday (Jan 30) another three people have been diagnosed.
The latest cases include a 31-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore on Jan 22. She was a travelling companion of the fourth confirmed case.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 12th case is a 37-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore on Jan 22 with her family.
The 13th confirmed case is a 73-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, who arrived in Singapore with her family on Jan 21.
All three new cases are warded in isolation rooms at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.
[h=3]READ: Wuhan virus outbreak - At a glance[/h] AdvertisementAdvertisement[h=3]READ: Wuhan virus in Singapore: What can you do?[/h]All of the previously 10 confirmed cases in Singapore have been Chinese nationals from Wuhan, with the first case of the coronavirus confirmed on Jan 23 - about a month after the outbreak in Wuhan.
They include seven men and three women, aged between 35 and 66.
The patients are being treated at various isolated wards at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital.
Some of them had stayed at hotels, including Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa, Village Hotel Sentosa, J8 Hotel as well as at Marina Bay Sands.
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As more cases were confirmed over the last week, people have been snapping up masks, thermometers and hand sanitisers, forming long queues and emptying shelves at several retail outlets islandwide.
In response, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday that authorities will distribute four surgical face masks for each Singapore household beginning on Saturday. The distribution process is expected to be completed by Feb 9.
Speaking at the same press conference, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing reassured the public that Singapore will have enough masks provided the supply is managed "appropriately".
In particular, he urged the public not to "succumb to the short-term fears and panic buying and hoarding behaviours", as it would "jeopardise" the entire healthcare system.
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[h=3]MORE: Our coverage on the Wuhan virus and its developments[/h]Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://cna.asia/telegram.
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