2 new community cases linked to police para-vet to form new Covid-19 cluster; both had symptoms but did not see doctor

SINGAPORE — A 44-year-old man who works as an administrative officer at the Singapore Police Force's Dog Unit and a female family member were the two cases of locally transmitted infections reported on Sunday (Jan 17).

In its evening update on the Covid-19 situation in Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that both community cases had symptoms but did not seek medical treatment.

The man developed a dry throat on Jan 7.

He was tested on Jan 15 as part of the special testing operations after a para-veterinarian who works at the same K-9 unit was confirmed as a positive case.

The man's test result came back positive on Jan 16. His serological test result has come back negative, indicating that this is likely a current infection.

As for the female family member, a homemaker, she developed a fever and chills on Jan 9, and subsequently loss of smell and taste on Jan 13, but similarly did not see a doctor.

She was contacted by MOH on Jan 16 and was tested for Covid-19. Her test result came back positive the following day. Her serological test result also came back negative.

The two community cases, together with the para-vet and his wife who was among the cases reported on Jan 15, have now formed a new cluster.

The health ministry urged members of the public to do their part to reduce the risk of transmission.

"Those who are unwell, including those showing early or mild symptoms, should be socially responsible and seek medical attention immediately and stay at home to prevent the spread of illness to others," MOH said.

The ministry reported 30 new cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections in Singapore to 59,113.

Apart from the duo, there were 28 imported cases who had already been placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore, MOH said.

Among the 28 imported cases:

• Two are Singaporeans and one is a permanent resident who returned from India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Three are dependant’s pass holders who arrived from India and the UAE

• Two are long-term visit pass holders who came from India

• Five are work pass holders who arrived from India, Lebanon, the Philippines and the UAE

• Fourteen are work permit holders who came from Bangladesh and India, of whom one is a foreign domestic worker

• One is a short-term visit pass holder who arrived from India to visit her Singaporean child

Overall, the number of new cases in the community has remained stable at eight cases per week in the past two weeks.

The number of unlinked cases in the community has decreased from five cases in the week before to four cases in the past week.

Sixty-two more cases of Covid-19 infection have been discharged, bringing the total who have fully recovered to 58,846.

There are 49 patients who are still in hospital. Most of them are stable or improving, and none is in the intensive care unit.

Another 189 with mild symptoms, or are clinically well but still test positive for Covid-19, are isolated at community facilities.

Twenty-nine people have died from complications due to Covid-19 infection.