[ad_1]
Photographer: Suhaimi Abdullah / Getty Images
Photographer: Suhaimi Abdullah / Getty Images
Two people in Singapore who returned from the UK have undergone preliminary tests to have a new strain of Covid-19 circulating there, the Ministry of Health. it said in a statement.
One of the people who initially tested positive for the potentially most contagious strain of virus is a Singapore Airlines Ltd. pilot, who traveled to the UK on business from December 19-22. Although the test on December 23 came back negative, three days later he developed a fever and was confirmed to have Covid-19 on December 1. 29.
The second case is a work pass holder who arrived from the UK on 7 December. He ended his 14-day quarantine on December 21 after testing negative on December 17. He later developed body aches and tested positive for the virus on December 29.
The two cases gave a preliminary positive result for the B117 strain and further confirmatory tests will be conducted, the ministry said.
Cases of the new Covid-19 strain could pose a challenge for Singapore, which has been praised for its success in slowing down the pace of infections in the community. That first detected this new strain last week in a Singaporean student studying in the UK The Southeast Asian nation has imposed stricter border restrictions, including a ban on entry and transit for those with a history of travel to the UK in the past 14 days, though citizens and permanent residents can return.
“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing,” the ministry said in the statement Wednesday night. “Meanwhile, all identified close contacts of the cases have been isolated and quarantined, and will be evaluated at the beginning and end of their quarantine period so that we can detect asymptomatic cases.”
Tighter measures
the The Civil Aviation Authority is strengthening measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the aircrew and to safeguard public health in Singapore after the Singapore Air pilot tested positive along with a separate case of a crew member from booth, Straits Times. reported, citing authority.
Aircrew returning from flights to high-risk destinations must perform three tests: one on arrival, another on the third day, and another on the seventh day. It will also require the aircrew to stop over to further minimize contact with locals, with food delivery via out-of-room room service to the door rather than delivering it.
The CAAS preliminary investigation showed that the two cases had adhered to mandatory flight and stopover measures, including wearing a mask, minimizing contact with passengers and locals, and staying in their hotel rooms, according to the report.
Aircrew traveling to and from South Africa will also need to wear full personal protective equipment, including N95 masks, face shields, gowns and protective gloves, according to the report.
