COVID-19: What To Do If You Suspect You Are Infected

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This entry is a part of Wiki.sg's coverage on the evolving COVID-19 situation in Singapore. For more COVID-19 stories, click here.

Heading to a Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) is the first step. Photo from TheSmartLocal.

As of March 2020, the COVID-19 virus has spread to over 150 countries and territories worldwide.[1] The Singapore government has ramped up public healthcare measures to contain the spread over the past months. The situation in Singapore stands as such - with over 240 confirmed cases and no deaths (as of 17 March). This entry details the steps to take for suspected cases and what to expect at each stage.

A. For those with symptoms

Individuals should see the doctor if they display these symptoms: Sore throat, cough, runny nose and fever. [2] Individuals are encouraged to visit Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) to reduce overcrowding at polyclinics and hospitals.[3] That said, they should not rush to hospitals for immediate COVID-19 screening.

Seek medical attention at PHPCs

PHPCs all have indicative stickers (pictured) in their premises. Photo credit to Khalid Baba / The Straits Times.

Rolled out in February 2020, there are over 900 GP clinics that serve as PHPCs.[4] The clinics are more equipped to treat patients with respiratory symptoms. At PHPCs and polyclinics, individuals with symptoms are assessed to see if they fulfil the Suspect Case Definition. As of March 2020, the definition is as such:[5] 

(i) Those with any sign of acute respiratory illness.

(ii) Those who have visited any of the *following countries within 14 days.

*The table shows the surveillance numbers for all the countries flagged by the Singapore government. The numbers are accurate as of 17 March 2020.

Country Confirmed Cases* Deaths* Refs.
Mainland China 81,048 3,204 [6]
Italy 24,747 1,809
Iran 14,991 853
Republic of Korea 8,236 75
Spain 7,753 288
France 5,380 127
Germany 4,838 12
United Kingdom 1,395 35
Japan 814 24

Diagnosis & protocol

Once the patients are assessed, doctors will give a five-day MC to individuals with the common flu.[7][8] Those suspected to have pneumonia will be immediately referred to a hospital.[9][2] It should be noted that doctors at PHPCs and polyclinics cannot conduct the COVID-19 test.[10]

Outcome 1: Stay home & monitor condition for five days

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), most patients at PHPCs who report respiratory symptoms do not have the COVID-19 virus. However, they must self-isolate for five days and return to the same clinic if their condition does not subside during this period. They will then go through further medical assessments and might be referred to the hospital where they will be tested for the virus.[11]

Outcome 2: Get referred to a hospital

(Pictured) The fever area in Singapore General Hospital's A&E. Photo credit to SGH.

Suspected cases will be immediately transferred to hospitals. At Singapore General Hospital (SGH), suspected cases are isolated in fever areas where they are kept separate from other patients.[12][13] The nurses will then screen these individuals for: 

(i) Symptoms

(ii) Travel history

(iii) Contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases

Individuals with any two of the above are separated to see a doctor who will then administer the COVID-19 swab-test.[14] While waiting for the results, these individuals are kept isolated from other patients.[15] If the test results come back negative, they are permitted to return home. If tested positive, they will be warded in isolation rooms and given further treatment.

B. For those with travel history

In mid-March 2020, there was a sudden spike in the number of imported cases in Singapore. These confirmed cases were individuals who had contracted the virus while overseas. Recent travellers can be carriers of the virus without showing any serious symptoms at first. As such, individuals must comply with the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and Quarantine Orders (QO) issued by the Singapore government. Failure to do so will result in legal penalties under the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA).

Comply with the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) & Quarantine Order (QO) measures

The following table highlights the details of the two measures.

Stay Home Notice (SHN) Quarantine Order (QO) Refs.
Applicability Individuals who travelled to the following countries within the last 14 days:
  • China
  • Korea
  • Iran
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Spain
  • Japan
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • ASEAN countries*

*Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam

  • Individuals who have been to Hubei province in the last 14 days
  • Those with PRC passports issued in Hubei
 [16][17][18]
Duration 14 days
Location Individuals’ homes Individuals’ homes

Government Quarantine Facilities

Stay-Home Notice (SHN) protocol

Singaporeans are legally required to serve the Stay Home Notice if given an order.

Individuals serving the SHN must observe the following protocol: 

(i) Do not leave your home for 14 days

(ii) Arrange for your house or dorm mates to get your necessities*

(iii) Be contactable for spot checks[19]

*Individuals can still have minimal interactions with their housemates but are advised against the following - sharing utensils, sleeping arrangements, common areas and meal timings. The house should maintain good hygiene and ventilation.[20]

Quarantine Order (QO) protocol

The Heritage Chalet (pictured) is one of the many buildings and compounds that have been converted into Government Quarantine Facilities. Photo credit to Heritage Chalet.

Individuals serving the QO are assigned Quarantine Officers who will conduct impromptu spot-checks. Individuals are required to comply with the following protocol:[21] 

(i) Monitor temperature three times a day

(ii) Observe zero physical contact 

(iii) Report health status three times a day

(iv) Be contactable for video calls at least three times a day

Individuals serving the QO can receive a S$1,400 allowance under the QOA scheme.[22]

Prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA)

Non-compliant individuals will receive the following penalties under the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA).

Stay Home Notice (SHN)* Quarantine Order (QO)** Refs.
First Offenders S$10,000 fine [23][24]
Six-months jail
Second Offenders S$20,000 fine
Twelve-months jail

*Individuals may also have their student/ re-entry/ work pass revoked. Students can also face suspension or expulsion.[25] In February 2020, a Singapore Permanent Resident had his re-entry pass revoked for breaching his Stay Home Notice.[26]

**Individuals who had been serving their QO at home will be transferred to a Government Quarantine Facility. They must also wear an electronic tracking device.

References / Citations

  1. ↑ "Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports". World Health Organisation. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "I am showing respiratory symptoms (like a cough, runny nose or fever), where should I go?". gov.sg. February 17, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Goh, Timothy. "Coronavirus: More patients with respiratory symptoms at PHPCs, but some afraid 5-day MC will affect income". The Straits Times. February 24, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "ADDITIONAL PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION". Ministry of Health. February 14, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "LIST OF AREAS REQUIRING HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE INCLUDED IN SUSPECT CASE DEFINTION FOR COVID-19". Ministry of Health. Updated on 9 March 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports". World Health Organisation. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Coronavirus: Designated clinics being activated from today". The Straits Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Lai, Linette. "Coronavirus: Docs to give 5-day medical leave to patients with respiratory symptoms; subsidised rates for S'poreans at designated clinics". The Straits Times. February 14, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  9. ↑ Ang Hwee Min. "COVID-19 outbreak: What you need to know about the Public Health Preparedness Clinics". Channel News Asia. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  10. ↑ Goh, Timothy. "Coronavirus: More patients with respiratory symptoms at PHPCs, but some afraid 5-day MC will affect income". The Straits Times. February 24, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  11. ↑ Ang Hwee Min. "COVID-19 outbreak: What you need to know about the Public Health Preparedness Clinics". Channel News Asia. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "Emergency Care". Singapore General Hospital. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  13. ↑ Koay Andrew. "12-hour shifts, 10 days in a row, on-call 24/7: Inside the daily lives of S’pore’s Covid-19 frontline staff". Mothership. March 7, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  14. ↑ Koay Andrew. "12-hour shifts, 10 days in a row, on-call 24/7: Inside the daily lives of S’pore’s Covid-19 frontline staff". Mothership. March 7, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  15. ↑ Ling, Ian. "6 Common COVID-19 Questions Asked By Singaporeans Wondering If Their Cough Is Something More". TheSmartLocal. February 24, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  16. ↑ "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)". Ministry of Health. Last updated on 16 March 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT FURTHER IMPORTATION OF COVID-19 CASES". Ministry of Health. March 15, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  18. ↑ "ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE RISK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD IN SINGAPORE". Ministry of Health. January 28, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  19. ↑ "Coronavirus: Random calls, spot checks for those on new stay-home notice". The Straits Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  20. ↑ "ADVISORY FOR INDIVIDUALS SHARING RESIDENTIAL SPACES WITH PERSONS ISSUED STAY-HOME NOTICE". Ministry of Health. March 11, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  21. ↑ "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)". Ministry of Health. Last updated on 16 March 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "Quarantine Order Allowance Scheme". Ministry of Health. January 29, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  23. ↑ "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)". Ministry of Health. Last updated on 16 March 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  24. ↑ Lua, Wilbur. "Behind the Quarantine Order – the legal basis for compelling the isolation of persons suspected of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus". Covenant Chambers LLC. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "COVID-19 FAQ: When will a stay-home notice be issued, and what does it mean?". Channel News Asia. March 16, 2020. Accessed on 17 March 2020.
  26. ↑ Goh, Timothy. “Man who breached coronavirus stay-home notice stripped of Singapore PR status, barred from re-entry”. The Straits Times. February 26, 2020. Accessed on 27 February 2020.
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