(Editor's note: The article has been amended to reflect that the Shell employee who had close contact with a confirmed case of the coronavirus is not a confirmed patient.)

The multi-ministry coronavirus task force announced nine new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Singapore on Feb. 14.

This brings the number of confirmed cases up to 67.

Some of the new cases linked to established clusters

Six of the new confirmed cases are linked to five previously established clusters, including:

• Grace Assembly of God
• Yong Thai Hang
• Grand Hyatt Singapore
• The Life Church and Missions
• Seletar Aerospace Heights

No evidence of widespread transmission

However, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said there is currently no evidence of a widespread transmission of Covid-19.

Gan added that he is concerned that local confirmed cases continue to circulate within community and go to work, even if they are ill and have seen a doctor.

This is not helpful to the efforts made to reduce the risk of community transmission.

Gan added during the question and answer session that there are not current plans to raise Singapore's response to DORSCON Red.

PUB

The Public Utilities Board (PUB) confirmed in a media release that one of its administrative staff has a confirmed case of the virus.

However, it is not confirmed if that staff is included within the nine new cases reported on Feb. 14.

PUB confirmed that the building was not evacuated. Rather, staff members on one level of the building were told to return home and telecommute for the rest of the day.

They are expected to return to work as normal on Monday, Feb. 17.

Shell

Earlier in the day on Feb. 14, Shell identified one of its employees who had been in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case.

Other staff who worked together with the employee were advised to work from home. Shell did not state how many staff members were impacted as a result.

Shell confirmed in a statement that an employee who worked at The Metropolis building was identified as having close contact with a Covid-19 case who tested positive this morning (Feb. 14).

The colleagues he was in close contact with have been advised to work from home with immediate effect, until further notice.

However, the employee currently has no symptoms of Covid-19, according to Shell.

https://mothership.sg/2020/02/shell-singapore-coronavirus

2 previous cases discharged

Two more patients have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospital.

This brings the total number of discharged patients up to 17.

One patient who was previously in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been transferred out of it.

However, six patients remain within the ICU. They are all currently on ventilators.

Related story

Top image from NCID and Grace Assembly of God website.