A WhatsApp message is being circulated in Singapore, claiming that a Covid-19 patient has chalked up a bill of S$180,143 for an 18-day stay at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Here's what it looks like.

Bill does not belong to a Covid-19 patient

This viral WhatsApp message is fake as the picture of the hospital bill is not that of a Covid-19 patient.

It was taken from a Give.Asia crowdfunding page that was set up by Gan Chang, a Chinese citizen who was raising money for his wife who was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia and tuberculosis in January 2020. She subsequently developed severe pneumonia.

Do note that the Singapore government will foot all bills incurred by Covid-19 patients in public hospitals, unless

1. The Covid-19 patient is a foreigner on short-term visit pass (STVP) who is seeking treatment for Covid-19 in Singapore
2. The Covid-19 patient is a Singaporean who has travelled abroad from Mar. 27.

However, outpatient treatment at polyclinics and general practitioner (GP) clinics are not covered.

In response to Mothership.sg's queries, SGH confirmed that the bill did not belong to a Covid-19 patient.

The hospital also urged the public to exercise social responsibility and not circulate any false claims.

Here's their statement in full.

“It has been brought to our attention that a hospital bill (case number: xxxxxxx469H) dated 27 Feb 2020 belonging to one of our patients has resurfaced and is circulating on social media and text message platforms.

There was claim that the patient was a COVID-19 patient. This is not true. The said patient was not a COVID-19 patient. We urge the public to exercise social responsibility and not to circulate any false claims.”

Top image via Guan Zhen Tan