COVID-19: 6-month-old Baby, Mother Among Discharged; 3 More Cases Confirmed

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Saturday (22 February) confirmed three more cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in the country to 89.

It also added that two more patients have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospital.

Three new cases

Of the three new cases confirmed, one is linked to the cluster at Grace Assembly of God, and one was among the group of Singaporeans who were evacuated from Wuhan on 9 February, the health ministry said in its daily update.

Image source: Changi Airport Facebook

Contact tracing is underway for the remaining case to establish any links to previous cases or travel history to China.

6-month-old, mother discharged

Meanwhile, Singapore’s youngest COVID-19 patient, a 6-month-old baby boy and his mother both have fully recovered and have been discharged. 

The six-month-old baby was one of the 4 new cases on 5 February. He was tested positive for 2019-nCoV infection on the same day and was warded in an isolation room at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

KK Women’s And Children’s Hospital | Source: Wikimedia Commons

The child, a Singaporean, is the son of an infected couple.

More fully-recovered patients compared to COVID-19 Patients

According to MOH, there are a total of 49 cases have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospital to date. This means there are now more fully-recovered patients than those who are still in hospital which is currently a total of 40. The health agency said most of those remaining confined are stable or improving, while five are in critical condition in the intensive care unit. 

Coronavirus in Singapore: Protect Your Family From COVID-19

As of 22 February 2020, 12pm, MOH has identified 2,734 close contacts who have been quarantined. Of these, 1,101 are currently quarantined, and 1,633 have completed their quarantine.

Singapore on Feb 7 raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) to Orange, prompting additional precautionary measures.

5M’s for DORSCON Orange | Source: MOH

Members of the public are urged to observe good personal hygiene and adopt the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with live animals including poultry and birds, and consumption of raw and undercooked meats;
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness;
• Observe good personal hygiene;
• Practice frequent hand washing with soap (e.g. before handling food or eating, after going to the toilet, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing); 
• Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately; and
• Seek medical attention promptly if you are feeling unwell.