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SINGAPORE: The part-time private rental driver who was reported as the only community case of COVID-19 in Singapore on Monday worked with Grab from December 17 to 24, the Ministry of Health (MOH) told CNA on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old, who is also a Singapore Airlines delegate, had traveled to the United States on business from December 12-16 on what the Health Ministry described as a “controlled itinerary.”
“Case 58766 worked as a part-time private driver with Grab between December 17 and 24, 2020,” the Health Ministry said.
“He had been at home from December 25 until it was confirmed that he was positive for COVID-19 infection on December 27 and was transferred to the hospital.”
Contacts are being traced to identify the man’s passengers and close contacts will be quarantined when identified, the ministry said.
“The risk of transmission is generally evaluated as low in public transport where contact is transitory (such as buses and trains),” said the Ministry of Health.
“However, given the proximity between drivers and passengers in private rental cars and taxis, passengers who are assessed as close contacts of a confirmed case will be quarantined as a precaution.”
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FIRST INCONCLUSIVE TEST ON DECEMBER 23
On Monday, the Health Ministry said the case was detected as part of proactive testing of aircrews returning from overseas flights, organized by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
The man was tested for COVID-19 on December 23, but the result was inconclusive on December 25, so another test was necessary. A second test conducted on December 25 was also inconclusive.
The man, who is asymptomatic, had stayed home awaiting further tests.
On December 27, his swab tested positive for COVID-19 infection and he was taken to the National Center for Infectious Diseases the same day.
The man’s serological test result was negative, indicating that he probably had a current infection.
The cabin crew who was on the same US flight that the man tested negative for COVID-19 on December 23.
The man was classified as a locally transmitted case due to a “relatively long time interval” between his trip and the positive COVID-19 test, the Health Ministry said.
His close contacts identified as of Monday, including family members and co-workers, have been isolated and quarantined.
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TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
On Tuesday, Grab said the driver had been temporarily suspended from his rig.
“We are in close contact with the Ministry of Health and are currently providing all necessary information to support the ministry’s contact tracing efforts,” Grab said in response to the CNA’s inquiries.
“As part of Grab’s ongoing safety precautionary measures, said driver-partner has been temporarily suspended from Grab’s platform.”
The driver will be covered by Grab’s Extended Medical License insurance plan and is entitled to one-time COVID-19 income support for Grab drivers who are quarantined or hospitalized due to COVID-19, the company added.
“Grab wants to assure our users that their health and well-being is our priority,” he said, adding that efforts have been made since June to enforce higher safety and hygiene standards for attractions, including access to free sanitizer and sanitizer. at the Grab Driver Center.
Grab users can also cancel a reservation if a driver or passenger shows up for a ride without a mask or does not appear well, and they can provide feedback on health and hygiene concerns after each trip, the company said. .
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