Three more confirmed cases of the COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in Singapore on Wednesday (19 Feb), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update. COVID-19 And Dengue
This brings the total number of cases in Singapore to 84.
Meanwhile, five more patients were discharged from hospital on Wednesday bring the total of fully recovered cases to 34.
The MOH said "of the 50 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. Four are in critical condition in the intensive care unit."
One case initially warded as dengue patient
One of the new confirmed cases is a 57-year-old female Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. She is currently warded in an isolation room at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH).
She reported onset of symptoms on 9 February and had sought treatment at Jurong Polyclinic as well as a general practitioner (GP) clinic between 10 to 14 February.
She went to the emergency department at NTFGH on 13 and 15 February and was admitted as a dengue patient in a general ward on 15 February. Test results later on confirmed COVID-19 infection on 18 February. She was immediately transferred to an isolation room.
According to MOH, the patients who had shared the same room as the case while she was in the general ward have been transferred to single rooms as a precautionary measure. They have been tested for COVID-19 infection, and the results are pending. So far, none of the contacts have any respiratory symptoms. Contact tracing of NTFGH staff who had been in contact with the case is underway. The room has also been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Prior to hospital admission, she had mostly stayed at her home at Jurong West Street 41, except to seek medical treatment.
COVID-19 and Dengue Fever Symptoms
Amid a rising number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, the country is also battling another outbreak—the new strain of Dengue called DenV-3—is plaguing the country.
Dengue cases here have been increasing week after week since December 2019, and are expected to increase further according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Symptoms of dengue fever
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Sudden onset of fever for 2-7 days
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Severe headache with pain behind the eyes
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Joint and muscle pain
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Skin rashes
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Nausea and vomiting
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Mild bleeding (e.g. nose or gum bleed, or easy bruising of the Symptoms usually appear 4-7 days after being bitten (ranges from 3-14 days).
The NEA has made information on areas with relatively higher Aedes aegypti mosquito population available on their NEA website, myENV app and other official channels.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 symptoms are likened to mild flu symptoms such as:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Fever
As both infections include fever as one of its symptoms, checking body temperatures at least twice a day can help determine whether or not you should see a doctor immediately. This is why households and businesses are encouraged to use thermometers to check on body temperatures regularly to be able to isolate asymptomatic patients.
The Singapore government encourages anyone who shows these symptoms to see a doctor and follow safety precautionary measures to prevent further community spread of the virus.
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