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Two more Zika cases detected at construction site

SINGAPORE — Two more cases of Zika have emerged among foreign workers who work on a Sims Drive construction site linked to 36 confirmed cases.

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SINGAPORE — Two more cases of Zika have emerged among foreign workers who work on a Sims Drive construction site linked to 36 confirmed cases.

In a statement released on Monday (Aug 29) night, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said it has completed testing all workers at the construction site who previously had symptoms of fever and rash. The two patients identified on Monday have recovered, the ministry said, adding it was also screening workers staying at dormitories located in areas that could see transmission in the community.

On Monday, some workers at the site, which has been issued with a stop-work order, told TODAY they started seeing co-workers developing rashes at the start of the month.

A worker, who wanted to be known only as Mr Rasal, said he had a fever and felt pain in his body on Aug 15.

He was given medication and two days’ medical leave, but his condition did not improve. The APP Engineering employee took a blood test on Aug 17 and was given another two days’ medical leave. He recovered, but on Saturday, he was told to take a urine test at his dormitory.

Mr Hussain Rana, 39, said he went to the doctor after waking up with rash on his face and arms. The Bangladeshi national, an employee of San Tai Construction, was given medication for the rash and cleared to return to work. His supervisor had assured him that it was nothing to worry about, Mr Hussain said, adding that his supervisors regularly reminded the workers to take care of themselves during their daily post-shift debriefs.

Both APP Engineering and San Tai Construction declined comment.

GuocoLand, the developer of Sims Urban Oasis, which is being built on the site, would only say it expected its contractors to “maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety”.

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