Singapore’s first patient recovers as virus hits more churchgoers

A medical worker at a Singapore hospital. Photo: Jurong Health Campus/Facebook
A medical worker at a Singapore hospital. Photo: Jurong Health Campus/Facebook

Singapore recorded three new coronavirus infections as its neighbors prepared to welcome home their citizens from the virus-plagued Diamond Princess cruise ship where hundreds took ill, including two elderly passengers who Japanese media say died this morning.

The three new cases, all Singaporean, were a 57-year-old woman admitted for dengue fever who tested positive Wednesday, a 54-year-old man and frequent Malaysia traveler linked to the Life Church and Missions, and a 35-year-old woman linked to the Grace Assembly of God cluster of infections.

There are now 22 cases linked to the Grace Assembly of God and six cases linked to the Life Church and Missions. Five more patients were discharged from hospitals yesterday, including Singapore’s first confirmed case. In all, 34 people have recovered and been discharged. 

While the virus’ march across China may be slowing, Singapore and other regional countries are recording new cases and monitoring those returning home, such as in the Philippines, where hundreds were to be repatriated from the stricken Diamond Princess vessel.

COVID-19: Here’s every coronavirus infection in Singapore on a map

Japan yesterday announced 79 more positive cases aboard the ship, bringing the total number of infected to at least 621 – nearly one in five of its roughly 3,700 passengers and crew. About 150 Australians also returned home this morning except for one family from Melbourne, after a member tested positive for the virus hours before leaving the ship, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

COVID-19 has infected more than 70,000 people in China and killed at least 2,000 people there. Iran yesterday reported two deaths due to the coronavirus and the first fatalities in the Middle East. 

The disease is also raising fears of a rapid spread in South Korea, which recorded its second surge in two days of confirmed cases today after another 31 infections were announced by health officials, bringing the total to 82. 

Most of the cases were located in the city of Daegu. A K-pop concert featuring prominent boy band BTS scheduled there for early March was postponed Wednesday.

COVID-19 developments elsewhere in the region:

Hong Kong

  • The first batch of 106 Hong Kong residents from the formerly quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship arrived home this morning on a chartered flight. They were taken to a quarantine site in Fo Tan. 
    • There were around 350 Hong Kong residents on the ship and had been contacted by city authorities, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said yesterday.
    • Fifty-three other Hong Kongers from the ship contracted the virus.

Malaysia

  • Two more people have recovered from COVID-19 and were discharged from the Sungai Buloh Hospital yesterday. They were:
    • Case 17: The 65-year-old mother-in-law of a Malaysian man who contracted the virus at a business meeting in Singapore.
    • Case 18: A 32-year-old Malaysian man who works in Macao and recently traveled to China.

Thailand

  • Thailand wants Israel to reconsider its travel ban on Thais as it is affecting Thai workers working through an employment project with Israel. 
    • About 5,000 Thai workers are reportedly involved in the bilateral migrant labor accord.
    • Israel yesterday announced a ban of travelers from East Asian territories including Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, and Thailand over coronavirus fears.
  • Two-week quarantine for Thais repatriated from Wuhan ended yesterday and they were allowed to leave the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri.
  • Three Thais aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive for the virus

Manila

  • Filipinos from virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship:
    • Forty-one Filipino crew members have tested positive for the virus. One has recovered and was discharged from a Japanese hospital, the Philippines foreign department said yesterday. 
    • Authorities are finalizing plans today to bring home the remaining hundreds of Filipinos disembarking the ship and facing another round of quarantine back home. 
    • About 530 of the 3,700 from the cruise ship are Filipino.

Related:
3 hotels that hosted Chinese coronavirus patient cleared of infections: official
Filipina domestic worker becomes Hong Kong’s 61st confirmed case of COVID-19
3 Indonesian crew members on Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive for coronavirus: foreign minister
3 more Hongkongers stuck on cruise ship contract COVID-19 as officials prep repatriation
Mom of confirmed coronavirus patient tests positive, total number of cases reaches 63
Indonesian domestic worker recovers from COVID-19 in Singapore
Health Department bracing for return of Filipinos aboard virus-hit cruise ship, one patient recovers



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