Many locally transmitted Covid-19 cases due to 'socially irresponsible' people who attend events when unwell: MOH

Members of the public are also advised to refrain from doctor-hopping.

Mandy How| March 10, 2020, 07:04 PM

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has called out "socially irresponsible" people who played a part in many of the locally transmitted Covid-19 cases.

Did not minimise social contact

According to MOH, a "few individuals" had continued to attend events and activities despite feeling unwell.

Out of the 160 confirmed cases in Singapore as of Mar. 9, 35 did not minimise social contact although they had already developed a fever and respiratory symptoms.

They also did not consult a doctor early when feeling unwell.

In fact, this 22 per cent of confirmed cases continued to work or carried on with their daily routine despite being sick.

MOH referred to the Wizlearn Technologies and Safra Jurong clusters as examples.

Refrain from doctor-hopping

MOH has also urged members of the public to refrain from doctor-hopping.

This is so that the same doctor can follow-up with each case and make the appropriate assessment if the patient needs to be tested for Covid-19.

Of the 160 confirmed cases, 38 had visited more than one general practitioner clinic (GP) clinic.

Among these 38 patients, eight had visited three or more GP clinics.

Individuals should also provide comprehensive and truthful accounts of their activities to aid in contact-tracing, which helps to contain the clusters.

MOH added that socially irresponsible behaviour is a risk to all, and that the measures implemented by the government will not work if individuals do not cooperate.

Top image via Yicheng Ping on Google Maps, Taylor Simpson on Unsplash