Novel coronavirus: S’pore could reconsider strategy at some point, says PM Lee who is confident that the country can pull through

SINGAPORE — If the number of novel coronavirus cases keeps growing and the fatality rate remains low like influenza, Singapore will have to reconsider its strategy at some point to allow hospitals to focus on the most vulnerable patients, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday (Feb 8). 

“We are not at that point yet. It may or may not happen, but we are thinking ahead and anticipating the next few steps,” he added. 

But in the meantime, the real test is to the country’s “social cohesion and psychological resilience”, he said in a recorded message which was televised a day after Singapore raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level to Orange. 

The move came after a few local cases were found to have no apparent links to previous cases or travel history to China.

Mr Lee said: “Fear and anxiety are natural human reactions. We all want to protect ourselves and our families from what is still a new and unknown disease. But fear can do more harm than the virus itself.” 

Referring to the panic buying seen at supermarkets across the island on Friday and other undesirable behaviours, he added: “(Fear) can make us panic, or do things which make matters worse, like circulating rumours online, hoarding facemasks or food, or blaming particular groups for the outbreak. We should take courage and see through this stressful time together.”

Mr Lee noted that this is not the first time Singapore has raised Dorscon to Orange: It did so in 2009, for the H1N1 swine flu.

“So there is no need to panic. We are not locking down the city or confining everybody to stay at home. We have ample supplies, so there is no need to stock up with instant noodles, tinned food, or toilet paper, as some people did (on Friday),” he reiterated.

‘WE KNOW WE CAN PULL THROUGH THIS’ 

Mr Lee said the ministerial taskforce, advised by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, has been leading the Government’s response to this outbreak.

“They have been dealing with new developments every day, and holding regular press briefings to keep Singaporeans informed every step of the way,” said Mr Lee, who added that he wanted to speak to Singaporeans directly, “to explain where we are, and what may lie ahead”.

The coronavirus situation is still evolving, he stressed, and the Singapore authorities have to respond “promptly and dynamically”. 

Noting that most of Singapore’s cases have “either been imported from China, or can be traced to imported cases”, Mr Lee said the authorities were worried about the recent emergence of some cases which cannot be traced to the source of infection. 

“Because it showed that the virus is probably already circulating in our own population,” he added. 

This was why the alert level was raised on Friday, he said. The Government is reducing mingling in schools, tightening up access to hospitals and taking extra precautions at large public events. 

Mr Lee said he has postponed the Chinese New Year Istana Garden Party for grassroots leaders, which was to be held on Sunday. 

Repeating a point which he had made several times publicly, he reiterated that Singapore is “much better prepared” to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak, having gone through Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003. 

Among other measures, the Government has stockpiled adequate supplies of masks and personal protective equipment, as well as expanded and upgraded its medical facilities, including the new National Centre for Infectious Diseases. 

It also has more advanced research capabilities to study the new virus, and more well trained doctors and nurses to deal with the situation. 

“We are psychologically better prepared too. Singaporeans know what to expect, and how to react. Most importantly, having overcome Sars once, we know that we can pull through this too,” he said. 

NEW VIRUS ‘MUCH CLOSER’ TO INFLUENZA THAN SARS

While the novel coronavirus is similar to Sars, there are two “important differences”, Mr Lee said.

First, the new virus is more infectious than Sars and hence, harder to stop from spreading. Second, the new virus is much less dangerous than Sars.

Mr Lee pointed out that about 10 per cent of those who caught Sars died. “With the new virus, outside of Hubei province, the mortality rate is so far only 0.2 per cent,” he said. “In comparison, seasonal influenza has a death rate of 0.1 per cent. So in terms of mortality, the new virus is much closer to influenza than Sars.”

Mr Lee said he was confident of the medical outcome of this outbreak. “Most Singaporeans should remain well, and of those who get ill most should expect to recover,” he said. 

Among those who have been hospitalised so far, most are stable or improving. Several have already recovered and been discharged, although a few remain in critical condition.

Elaborating on the possible shift in approach some time in the future, Mr Lee said that if the virus is widespread, “it is futile to try to trace every contact”. 

He added: “If we still hospitalise and isolate every suspect case, our hospitals will be overwhelmed. At that point, provided that the fatality rate stays low like flu, we should shift our approach. 

“Encourage those who only have mild symptoms to see their family GP, and rest at home instead of going to the hospital, and let hospitals and healthcare workers focus on the most

vulnerable patients – the elderly, young children, and those with medical complications.” 

EVERYONE CAN PLAY A PART 

Whatever the situation, Singaporeans can each do their part, Mr Lee said. 

He reiterated the authorities’ advice for individuals to observe personal hygiene, take temperature twice daily, and avoid crowded places and see a doctor immediately if unwell. 

“These simple steps do not take much effort, but if we all do them, they will go a long way towards containing the spread of the virus,” Mr Lee said. 

Currently, the Government is continuing to do contact tracing and to quarantine close contacts. However, Mr Lee said he expects to see more cases with no known contacts in the coming days.

Calling on Singaporeans to stay united and resolute, Mr Lee noted how grassroots leaders and volunteers have stepped forward to help distribute masks to households, while university students are delivering food daily to schoolmates confined to their dormitory rooms on leave of absence. 

He added: “Healthcare workers are on the frontline, treating patients in hospitals and clinics and helping them get well again. Business federations, unions, public transport workers, are going the extra mile to maintain services, take care of workers, and keep Singapore running. They are inspirations to all of us. This is what it means to be Singaporean. This is who we are.”