It was reported on July 24, Friday, that an emergent Covid-19 cluster involving four cases was uncovered at Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub.

Four cases were bus drivers

SMRT confirmed on July 26 that all four cases in the cluster were bus drivers in a statement to Mothership. 

The drivers operated bus services 976, 184 and 176.

SMRT said that three of the drivers contracted Covid-19 in their households, and that employees in close contact with the four cases have been placed on a leave of absence.

Meanwhile, SMRT is monitoring the drivers' conditions closely, and offering help to their families.

As a precautionary measure, staff have been urged not to talk to each other at close distance during meal times.

The transport operator also assured commuters that buses are disinfected at least twice a day.

You can read the full statement here:

“Four SMRT bus captains from BPITH tested positive for Covid-19 between 7 July and 24 July. They drove bus services 976, 184, and 176. Three of the cases contracted Covid-19 in their households. We are closely monitoring their condition and offering assistance to their families.

As a precautionary measure, we have urged staff not to talk to each other at close distance during meal times and to continue monitoring their health closely . Employees who were in close contact with them have been placed on Leave of Absence. All bus premises such as depots and interchanges are cleaned and disinfected frequently. Our buses are also disinfected at least twice daily. We also advise our bus captains to strictly follow safe management measures.

Additional measures have been implemented to sanitise the affected premises. This includes the closure of the two canteens, together with the crew rest rooms, toilets and passenger service office. All common premises have undergone deep cleaning and disinfecting by an external vendor.”

Details of the cluster

The cluster was uncovered when one of the newly confirmed cases (Case 49440) on July 24 was found to be linked to three previous cases.

The 28-year-old Malaysian had experienced onset of symptoms on July 1, and had subsequently went to work at Ulu Pandan Bus Depot and Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub, according to the daily update by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on July 24.

His infection was detected as part of MOH's proactive case finding of individuals working at the newly emergent workplace cluster.

Serological test results for Case 49440 came back positive, which indicate likely past infection, MOH said.

Top image via SMRT on Facebook