Two Imported COVID-19 Cases Tested Preliminarily Positive For Omicron Variant

       The Ministry of Health (MOH) has detected two imported COVID-19 cases who have tested preliminarily positive for the Omicron variant on 2 December. Both cases were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on 1 December, and had not interacted in the community. There is currently no evidence of any community transmission from these cases.

2.     The cases are currently recovering in isolation wards at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). Both are fully vaccinated, and have mild symptoms of cough and scratchy throat. 

3.     Both cases arrived from Johannesburg on board SQ479 on 1 December.

a. Case 271487 is a 44 year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who arrived in Singapore from Mozambique, transiting through Johannesburg. His pre-departure test in Mozambique on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection. 

b. Case 271598 is a 41 year-old female Singaporean who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on 1 December. Her pre-departure test in Johannesburg on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection.

4.     They had undergone a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival in Singapore, and were immediately conveyed to a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) dedicated facility to be isolated while awaiting their test results. Upon confirmation of COVID-19 infection, they were conveyed to NCID.

5.     Their PCR test results have revealed the presence of S-gene Target Failure which may be associated with the Omicron variant. The National Public Health Laboratory is conducting whole genome sequencing to confirm the variant.

Contact tracing is ongoing, close contacts to be tested and quarantined

6.     Contact tracing is ongoing. All 19 other passengers who came in on the same flight have tested negative for COVID-19 infection. These individuals were all quarantined under SHN at designated facilities upon arrival and are subjected to a testing regime which includes an on-arrival PCR test and a SHN exit PCR test.

7.     Other close contacts of these cases, if any, will be placed on 10-day quarantine at designated facilities and undergo PCR tests at the start and end of their quarantine. All patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant will be conveyed to NCID for isolation and clinical management. Home recovery will not apply.

8.     It is important for everyone to continue to play their part and remain vigilant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

2 DECEMBER 2021