Singapore is reportedly preparing a second evacuation flight from Wuhan, the epicentre of the current novel coronavirus.
MFA discussing with Chinese authorities
The officials who revealed the information to Reuters said that the evacuation could possibly take place as early as today (Feb. 7).
News of this second evacuation plan comes just a week after 92 Singaporeans returned from Wuhan via Scoot flight TR 121.
Some of these Singaporeans have been tested positive for the nCoV.
They are the 15th, 17th, 22nd and 23rd confirmed cases.
In response to queries from Mothership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said:
"Following the return of 92 Singaporeans on 30 January 2020 from Wuhan, the MFA has continued to be in discussions with the relevant Chinese authorities on our plans for another flight to bring our fellow Singaporeans there back home."
Singaporeans in Wuhan and other cities in the Hubei Province and have yet to contact the Singapore Embassy in Beijing or Singapore's MFA can do so through these numbers:
- Singapore Embassy in Beijing
Tel: +86-(10) 65321115 / +86 1391 0755 251
Email: singemb_bej@mfa.sg
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hours)
Tel: +65 6379 8800/8855
Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg
There are still Singaporeans in Wuhan
On Jan. 30, Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the Wuhan virus task force, said that despite the return of the 92 Singaporeans, there are still some Singaporeans left in Wuhan.
He added that they could not return home as they were already showing symptoms.
Current local and global stats on nCoV
As of Thursday (Feb. 6), Singapore has a total of 30 confirmed cases of the nCoV.
Out of the 30, two of the patients' conditions have worsened as one of them is warded in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the other is in need of additional oxygen support.
Globally, there have been over 500 deaths as of Feb. 6, with over 28,000 confirmed cases.
These confirmed cases are found in 28 countries.
A total of 1,153 patients have been discharged from hospital.
Top image from MFA.