Covid-19

From Wuhan Virus to 2019-nCoV to finally Covid-19, the name of the coronavirus outbreak that originated from Wuhan City of Hubei Province is officially named Covid-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Back in 2002/2003, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) saw 8,096 probable cases and 774 deaths resulting from SARS. (Data provided by WHO for period 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003.) In Singapore, probable SARS cases were 238 and deaths were 33.

Covid-19 has far outnumbered SARS. The confirmed cases were 60,061 and deaths were 1,357 (13 February 2020 4.11 pm).

Singapore’s confirmed cases were 50 with zero death so far. We are not out of the woods yet. More and more people are seen wearing face masks. With the experience of SARS in 2003, we are taking the fight of Covid-19 quite well.

Lives go on with precautionary measures of not contracting the virus. Large gatherings are reduced or cancelled and temperature takings are carried out at premises like the hospitals, clinics, banks and office buildings. I see less people coming out and I see less people coughing in public places. It shows that Singaporeans are taking the fight against this coronavirus seriously. This is a great comfort.

The best we can do is to stay healthy and take all precautions to protect ourselves. If we are sick, stay at home and do not go to work. Before this dreaded Covid-19, people tended to go to the office even if they were to have flu, running nose and coughs. Crosscontamination is easiest when people who are sick still insist on working in the office.

I see hope and human will not lose the fight against a virus. The whole world is looking into this. Covid-19 is not someone’s fault. It happens and we simply have to deal with it to save lives.

I salute all the medical personnel from doctors, nurses, medical care attendants, and the ambulance paramedics. They are the ones facing the virus close-up! I thank all for doing your parts to fight it together.