Five Bangladeshi workers in Singapore have been infected with Covid-19 in Singapore, with one discharged as of Wednesday (Feb. 26).

Out of those remaining in hospital, one is critically ill.

Case 42

Case 42, a 39-year-old Bangladeshi worker diagnosed on Feb. 8, was the first out of five Bangladeshi workers to be infected with the virus.

He is linked to a cluster in Seletar aerospace.

He first reported onset of symptoms on Feb. 1, and had sought treatment at a GP clinic on Feb. 3, and at Changi General Hospital (CGH) on Feb. 5.

He went for a follow-up appointment at Bedok Polyclinic on Feb. 7, and was admitted to the intensive care unit at CGH.

He has been warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) for the past three weeks.

Going to be a father

According to a Straits Times report on Thursday (Feb. 27), the wife of the worker is currently heavily pregnant.

The wife last saw her husband in June 2019, when he returned home for a period of three months between March to June.

She hopes for her husband to get better and "(wants) him to come back home" to Bangladesh.

Did not tell wife about illness

ST also reported that the worker called his wife on Feb. 7, a day before he tested positive for the virus and was warded in NCID.

His wife said her husband did not reveal his condition and she was under the impression that he was "having a normal flu".

She only found out about the Covid-19 infection through her husband's cousin, who is also working in Singapore.

The cousin informed her that her husband was in critical condition and had been admitted to hospital.

The wife is still in shock and cannot believe what has happened.

The Bangladesh High Commission stated the worker had pre-existing conditions.

He suffered from respiratory and kidney problems, and pneumonia before he was infected with the virus, ST reported.

Family to receive support

According to MWC, the worker is the family's sole breadwinner.

It was previously reported that the worker's family will be receiving a S$10,000 assistance package courtesy of the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), the worker’s employer (Yi-Ke Innovations), and his dormitory operator (Mini Environment Service).

“The MWC will continue to remain in close contact with his family to provide updates on his condition and offer additional help or assistance wherever necessary,” it said.

Top photo via Google streetview and NCID website.