Learning from its experience in dealing with SARS in 2003, Singapore already has better protocols in place for dealing with outbreaks of infectious diseases, including Covid-19.
By
B Josie Susilo Hardianto
·3 minutes read
AFP/CATHERINE LAI
Commuters wear face masks on the Mass Rapid Transit train as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Singapore on March 18, 2020.
After the novel coronavirus was reported to have spread outside of China, the first Covid-19 case was discovered in Singapore. Since it was first detected on Jan. 23, in just a few days the number of positive cases reached tens of people and by Wednesday a total of 266 positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded. However, there have been no deaths as of yet.
When the number of cases skyrocketed in other countries, in mid-February, Singapore was "able" to control the rate of the spread of the virus. The number of recovered patients exceeds that of new cases. One of the measures taken by the Singapore government was to tighten quarantine.
In addition, since the first positive case was found, local authorities proactively tracked and isolated the infected, increased access to affordable public health care and issued clear and convincing messages from the Singaporean leaders.
Singapore\'s experience in dealing with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 also helped. At that time, as many as 238 people were infected in Singapore with 33 deaths. The experience made Singaporeans take a very serious approach.
AP / EE MING TOH
In this March 14, 2020, photo, a security personnel views a thermal screening monitor as visitors enter Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. As the virus outbreak spreads ever further, it\'s becoming clear that some strategies are more likely to succeed in containing it: pro-active efforts to track down and isolate cases, access to basic, affordable public health and clear, reassuring messaging from leaders.
Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, said the city state then improved its already well-developed healthcare system, wrote new protocols to deal with outbreaks, established "fever centers" to isolate cases, invested in equipment and improved training in handling infectious diseases. Therefore, when the first case of Covid-19 was found, Singapore was ready to act.
"Almost everyone is involved and follows it," Leong said. SARS, according to Leong, shaped Singapore into being more advanced and ready to act.
One manifestation was that, when the plague continued to flourish, on Feb. 1, Singapore blocked the inflow and transit of new visitors who had traveled to China in the past 14 days. This restriction was extended to visitors who had recently traveled to Iran, northern Italy and South Korea.
When local virus transmissions soared, on Feb. 7, Singapore immediately raised the level of alertness to “orange”, the highest level. The National Public Health Laboratory, which was established after SARS, is prepared for fast-track testing, using sophisticated diagnostics, and the newly developed Covid-19 test kits.
Tikki Pangestu, a visiting professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a former director of research policy and cooperation at the WHO, said rapid testing and isolation of suspected cases, as well as tracing carried out meticulously -- assisted by police, surveillance cameras, and ATM records – was proven to help prevent local outbreaks from getting worse. So far 5,700 people have been quarantined.
REUTERS/EDGAR SU
A Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) scientist demonstrates, without a live sample, the extraction process of their coronavirus test kit at their laboratory in Singapore March 5, 2020. These test kits, a collaboration between HTX and Veredus Laboratories, detect coronavirus by means of its unique genetic sequences, and are deployed at all sea, land and air checkpoints country-wide on Thursday.
In addition, a number of strict rules regarding health reporting and quarantine have also been implemented. Anyone who violates the rules will be fined or jailed for six months. On the other hand, valid and reliable information continues to be provided.
Pangestu said Singapore had a strong level of public trust in the government. In addition, they also have a very good health system and are supported by a good information system and adequate funding. "Many other countries, especially developing ones, do not have this capacity or characteristics," Pangestu said.
The role of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who from the beginning gave a straightforward and calm explanation, was appreciated by many parties. In a television broadcast he said, among other things, that the situation was under control and that the government had prepared a number of steps in the event of a surge in cases.
"All Singaporeans feel that we are all involved together," Lee said. "And we will not leave anyone behind." (AP)
