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2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
We ushered in the Chinese New Year of the Rat on 25 January knowing the seriousness of this Novel Coronavirus outbreak. This was how we celebrated Chinese New Year.
For more than a month now, we are watching the spread of this Coronavirus in China and round the world. Deaths were reported among confirmed cases.
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On 4 February, Singapore reported four confirmed cases that point towards limited local transmission. Yesterday, there was a case without known link to previous confirmed cases. The last one is a bit worrying as the Ministry of Health (MOH) was not able to establish how he caught the virus.
This is where it stands now. To fight this Novel Coronavirus, everyone has a role to play. It comes down to social responsibilities and for individuals to be strict on personal hygiene.
I salute the front-line medical care health personnel that have to face with this dreaded virus. The disruptions faced by almost everyone from schools to businesses to individual service personnel facing the public, should be tolerated as we fight this virus to save lives. The inconvenience is nothing when compared with people inflicted with the Coronavirus.
Keep safe and healthy. Do the necessary precautions and be calm.
Chronology of Coronavirus Outbreak
“Wuhan Virus” now renamed as “2019 Novel Coronavirus” (2019-nCoV) first came to light on 31 December 2019 when China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of this outbreak of Coronavirus with Wuhan as the epicenter.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) put up notice of this outbreak to the media on 2 January 2020. Temperature screening of travelling passengers for fever at the Changi Airport started from 3 January 2020.
On 22 January, a multi-ministerial task force was set up to deal with the quickly spreading virus outbreak.
On 4 February, the first local Coronavirus cluster was reported and on 6 February, two confirmed case were reported. One is a 41-year-old Singaporean male with no recent travel history to China and who does not appear to be linked with previous confirmed cases.
