Third COVID-19 Cluster Formed from 20 Jan Cases; Patients Had Continued Working While Sick

When we left 2020 behind and celebrated the arrival of 2021, we expected things to get better.

The pandemic was going to die down, leisure travel would return, and KTV establishments would open to the public.

But any hopes of a less depressing year have so far not come true.

A pilot in which KTV outlets were supposed to open has been delayed, leisure travel is still a distant dream, and the number of infections here is on the rise.

It’s been revealed that some of the confirmed cases lately had chosen not to seek medical treatment when ill.

Now, two confirmed cases not only chose to shun the doctor, but also went to work while sick.

Third COVID-19 Cluster Formed from 20 Jan Cases; Patients Had Continued Working While Sick

A new Covid-19 cluster involving four cases has formed, the third in less than a month.

Of the 40 cases reported on Wednesday (20 Jan), four were infections from the community.

Of these, three are linked to Case 59429, forming the third cluster.

Case 59429 is a 39-year-old PR who works as a sales personnel for BS Industrial & Construction Supply. He was confirmed to have the coronavirus on 18 Jan.

The first case linked to him is Case 59455, a 27-year-old Malaysian work pass holder who is his co-worker and holds the same role at the company.

He developed a sore throat on 14 Jan and a loss of smell and taste on 18 Jan. His body was basically slapping his face and telling him: You have Covid-19, dummy!

Despite this, when most of us would see a doctor, he chose not to seek medical attention, and even continued to go to work.

His infection was only detected because he was identified as a close contact of Case 59429. He tested positive on 19 Jan, but received a negative result for his serological test, indicating a fresh infection.

The next confirmed infection, Case 59456, is a 29-year-old female Malaysian work pass holder who is also a sales personnel at the company.

She developed a sore throat and difficulty in breathing on 16 Jan, but like her colleague, continued to work and even interacted in the community.

Once again her infection was only detected because she was identified as a close contact of Case 59429.

She was conveyed to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases and tested for Covid-19 after she reported her symptoms.

She tested positive the next day, but got a negative serological test result.

The fourth case in the cluster is a 28-year-old female Malaysian work pass holder who works as a finance personnel at the company – Case 59474.

She developed a cough on 19 Jan, the same day she was placed on quarantine as a close contact of Case 59429.

She reported her symptom and was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she tested positive for the disease.

Her serological test also came back negative.

The authorities said they are investigating the company to determine if there had been a breach of safe management measures there.

Of the two other clusters, one is linked to a para-vet at the police K-9 unit, and the other to a food processing worker at Golden Bridge Foods Manufacturing.

17 Locations Added to List of Places Visited by Covid-19 Cases

With the increase in community cases, the Ministry of Health has had to lengthen their list of places visited by infectious Covid-19 cases.

And this time, they added a whopping 17 places. 

This includes the National Museum of Singapore and several popular eateries, such as Prata Wala at Jurong Point, Brewerkz at Riverside Point, and S111 Eating House in Kallang.

Here’s the full list:

There’s no need to avoid these places, as they’ve been cleaned and disinfected.

As a precautionary measure, those who were at these locations during the specified timings should monitor their health closely for 14 days from their date of visit.

And if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection, such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, as well as fever and loss of taste or smell, they should see a doctor immediately, and not continue working.

Featured Image: kandl stock / Shutterstock.com