There were 5 additional SARS cases reported today. Three are from SGH Wards 57 and 58 comprising of 2 nurses and a patient. The other two additional cases are a TTSH occupational therapist attached to the TTSH Rehabilitation Department at the Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital and a visitor to Orange Valley Nursing Home.

So far, 46 persons linked to the SGH cluster at Wards 57 and 58 have been admitted comprising 31 SGH staff, 11 visitors and 4 inpatients. Of these, there are 7 probable SARS cases, 38 suspected SARS cases and 1 admitted for observation. The 3 additional probable SARS cases are two nurses and an inpatient. All are stable except for the inpatient who is in serious condition in intensive care.

In addition to the 2 nurses from Orange Valley Nursing Home who were admitted to TTSH as a probable and suspect case, a visitor to the Home has now been diagnosed as a probable case. She is a MediaCorp staff who become unwell on 2 April and was admitted to TTSH on 7 April 03 as a SARS. Her condition is stable. She had been on leave from work since 28 March 03. Five of her colleagues who visited her during the period she was on leave have been advised to stay at home and will be receiving Home Quarantine Orders by the end of today. Her other work collegues will not be served Home Quarantine Orders as she was well prior to her starting her leave.

At this point in time, the source of infection of the TTSH occupational therapist is yet to be determined. Investigations are still on-going.

Today, 30 passengers from affected areas required further screening by the nurses at the airport. None were referred to TTSH for further assessment.

No passenger vessels that had a travel history to SARS affected areas in the last 10 days arrived today. From today, all passengers and crew arriving by sea were also required to complete and submit the Health Declaration Cards.

To date, the total number of people diagnosed with SARS is 118. Among these are 3 children below 18 years of age. Out of the 34 patients still hospitalised, 12 are in intensive care. Since yesterday, there was 1 new admission and 1 death in intensive care. The deceased was a visitor contact of a SARS patient.

Apart from the first imported case, the 6 other imported cases have not given rise to any SARS cases.

The number of suspect cases admitted is 82, including 3 children (below 18 years old). The number of people under Home Quarantine Orders is 228.

MOH urges the public to heed World Health Organisation (WHO)’s advice to postpone travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong until another time. We would also like to advise the public to avoid travel to other SARS affected areas – Shanxi, Taiwan, Hanoi and Toronto, unless absolutely necessary.

MOH Hotline for queries: 1800-2254122

Website : www.moh.gov.sg