SINGAPORE – Singapore yesterday reported two preliminarily positive cases for the B117 strain, a potentially more contagious strain of the Covid-19 virus that is circulating in the United Kingdom, according to the republic’s Health Ministry.
In its full data released here, the ministry said the first case – labelled 58811 – involves a 40-year old Singaporean man who works as a pilot with Singapore Airlines.
He recently travelled to the UK for work for three days from December 19. He was tested on December 23 as part of the rostered routine testing for aircrew members who travel frequently, but his test result came back negative for Covid-19.
On December 26, however, he developed a fever and sought medical treatment at a general practitioner clinic the next day, where he was swabbed.
He tested positive for Covid-19 three days later and was referred to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
“His serological test result came back negative, indicating a likely current infection. He has also tested preliminarily positive for the B117 strain,” said the ministry, adding that further tests will be conducted to confirm the strain.
It said the second case – labelled 58809 – involves a work-pass holder who arrived from the UK on December 7 and was placed on a stay-home notice at a dedicated facility upon arrival in Singapore.
The 53-year-old man from the UK ended his notice on December 21, but developed body ache the next day and acute respiratory infection symptoms on December 25.
“He sought medical treatment three days later and was swabbed for Covid-19. His test result came back positive on December 29 and he was referred to NCID.
“His serological test result came back positive. He has also tested preliminarily positive for the B117 strain, which is pending further confirmatory tests,” the ministry said.
As at noon yesterday, the republic reported 27 new cases, bringing the total tally to 58,569. – Bernama, December 31, 2020
