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Five more people in Singapore have been infected with
atypical pneumonia, bringing the total number to
39.
Seven are in serious condition and the Minister of
State for Health says that Singapore is not out of the woods
yet.
But the Government has decided
it is not necessary to extend the 1-week school holidays,
which ends on Monday.
So far, all the cases can be
traced back to the 3 women who picked up the viral infection
from Hong Kong.
The Health Ministry says 19 victims are
family or friends of the 3 initial cases, while 17 others are
medical staff.
The Government says since the spread is
confined to those who had close contact with the 3 women,
there is no need to close schools, but children who have been
in contact with the source or subsequent victims, will be
asked to stay away from school for another week, to prevent
any community outbreak in schools.
Parents and schools
have also been advised to be vigilant and look out for
children who are unwell with fever.
The Health Ministry
advises that such children seek medical attention and only
return to school when they are well.
Apart from
reminding the public to avoid travel to Hong Kong, Hanoi, and
Guangdong unless absolutely necessary, the Ministry has set up
a task force and it is issuing advisories to parents and
airlines to help identify symptoms.
In addition, a slew
of changes have been made to the Infectious Diseases Bill
which was passed in Parliament on Friday .
For example,
the Health Minister will be empowered to order compulsory
vaccinations, more infectious diseases will be covered by the
legislation, and there will be provisions to quarantine
infected areas.
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