Coronavirus COVID-19

Hi @Ding thats a great question! Based on the latest advisory “Updated advisory for Sport and Physical activity” published 26 March, thats fine so long as the pool maintenance team complies with recommendations set out in the document and social distancing is maintained. 

You can read more about it at MOH’s official website here - https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19

Hi @Natedogg , according to data published by the CDC, about 80% of people with COVID-19 have mild disease. The symptoms you have could be due to COVID-19 or any number of viral or other causes.

The likelihood of COVID-19 depends on whether you had traveled the 2-4 weeks prior to onset of symptims and findings on examination such as your throat / lungs/ tummy.

In the current situatuon, I would recommend to have a physical review with a GP to determine your risk and any other course of action if required. Just to be safe, and to protect loved ones and others around you, do wear a mask 👍🏻

Hi @Tim Im sorry to hear that! What symptoms are you encountering? Also, do you notice any patterns for associations of these daytime symptoms with particular exposures/ activities, or any changes such as construction work near your home that you pass by on your way to/from work? These are all potential contributing factors to worsening asthma, although there are potentially other aggravating factors such as infections that could cause it to get progressively worse to the extent it becomes dangerous. 

You may want to consider having a detailed discussion with a GP to work this out, particularly if your symptoms are getting worse. It is possible to have a preliminary discussion online via an app like DoctorWorld, however the doctor may need to refer you to a clinic in-person if they determine that you need to be examined. Here is a link that shares more about this: https://www.todayonline.com/brand-spotlight/doctor-will-see-you-next-app

Hey
It is quite possible that you would be infected by COVID -19 and be experiencing mild symptoms. 80 % of all cases of COVID -19 are either asymptomatic or show mild symptoms. Even if you are positive for COVID -19, your treatment will not change for the type of symptoms you are currently experiencing. If you experience breathless and/or symptoms seem to worsen contact your country's COVID helpline/hospital.
Maintain self isolation and try to follow these guidelines -
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
Do te if you have any more queries.
Take Care
Dr. Harshit K

Hi @joheet , thank you for your question! 

Perhaps what the message is trying to convey is that if you are suffering from a condition that impairs your lung function, it would be more difficult to hold your breath. However this does not mean you have COVID /fibrosis and should not be used as a “test” for COVID. Some patients present with just upper respiratory tract symptoms which do not affect lung function/cause fibrosis. 

Also, fibrosis is usually a late and chronic change that indicates a long term medical condition in most situations. 

Overall I would say that one should not believe any “chain messages” and it would be better to look out for the advisories that are being sent by your governing healthcare body. There have also been rumours regarding the use of salt water/drinking hot water which have not been proven as methods to treat/prevent COVID.  

I hope this helps! 

Hi @cyeap ! Thank you for your question. 

Realistically speaking it would take at least 6 months (on average), up to 2 years, for a drug to pass phase II clinical trials (which is where  safety is determined). As such even if a vaccine was being developed it would not be distributed any time soon unfortunately. 

Hi @worriedmum thats a timely question! Self-isolation is a public health measure to reduce spread, that requires the at-risk individual (whether from travel or possible exposure) to practice social responsibility by remaining at home and avoiding contact with others. This is the overarching concept whereby stay home notice (SHN) is a subset.

It has been broken down to 3 incremental levels within Singapore for the current outbreak - leave of abscence (LOA), SHN and Quarrantine. More on that at this link:  https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/2019-ncov/moh-health-advisory-for-persons-issued-stay-home-notice-(updated-13-mar)-(1530h).pdf

Unlike LOA, SHN has a legal element whereby relevant individuals are obligated to stay within their home premises at all times except for emergencies. Ultimately, you’d be doing your friends, loved ones and neighbours a solid by not exposing them if in case you develop the illness. Also, failure to comply may result in prosecution under the infectious disease act.

Family members are not needed to isolate as well, but are recommended to take precautions at home to avoid exposure, and to seek esrly medical attention should you feel unwell. More on that at this link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-faq-stay-home-notice-what-you-need-to-know-coronavirus-12542892

Hey @gerdboss

Here are some general tips:
1) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Reason being - these are portals for micro-organisms from the environment (hitching a ride on your hands) to enter the body. 
2) Hand hygiene - this is essential, keep your hands clean by washing/ using sanitiser before meals and/or touching your face.
3) If you have a cough/sneeze, cover your nose/mouth with a tissue and dispose of it after. For the safety of those around you, wash your hands to keep them clean. You should wear a mask if you are having respiratory symptoms.
4) Observe for symptoms for 14 days - this is the incubation period for the virus, so be vigilant for the 14 days after you land for any symptoms, and have a low threshold to seek medical attention.

If you would like to read more about this, the WHO has a more detailed guideline over here: https://www.who.int/ith/2019-nCoV_advice_for_international_traffic-rev/en/

Hope this helps, and wishing you safe travels!

Hi @rocky , this is an excellent question! This has been a topic of discussion lately and guidelines have been revised after various experts weighed in. As it turns out, people that are well do not need to wear masks all the time. It is only recommended for people with flu symptoms to prevent droplet spread (e.g. coughing or sneezing) or those in close contact/ caring for people with flu symptoms (healthcare workers, caregivers).

This is consistent with the latest recommendations from the CDC (Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html) as well as national bodies such as the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH, Link: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/faqs).

Hi @Sarah_tonin great question! However, this is a novel and ongoing outbreak and evidence is still emerging on the behaviour of the virus. Currently available epidemiological data points towards airborne transmission, although there is emerging evidence suggesting shedding in stool causing fecal-oral transmission as well (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071).

Ultimately, the preventive measures to reduce chances of catching the virus remain the same in terms of practicing good hygiene, getting lots of rest/hydration, as well as seeking medical attention early and wearing a mask for those that develop suggestive symptoms.

To get the latest information as evidence becomes available, follow reliable and updated resources such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) website or the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) channels such as this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTDmCglnAbM

Hi @JimJammer88 thats a great question and Im sure many have it at the back of their minds! However, other than rest and hydration, there are no proven home measures that can help to reduce the risk of severe disease so far. Care takers need to remain vigilant about hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission, and wash their hands after contact with the patient or the patient’s surroundings, as well as before eating or touching their own face.
 
Presently most patients have mild disease, with severe disease mostly described in elderly and those with concomittant disease. If the patient is getting more unwell, bring them for a review with a medical professional as soon as possible. Early detection is key for appropriate management of the patient. 

Equipment that are required for the management of severe patients are only available in hospitals and require monitoring by a health professional for safe usage. Rest assured, our leaders are already taking steps to develop contingency plans to ensure that our hospitals can meet the needs of our population if the situation gets worse.

Hello @deliriousg, very good question. In fact I was just speaking to a respiratory physician who brought up this topic. Cloth and water-repellent fabric masks are as helpful as surgical masks as they provide barrier protection too. What is most important is the mask fit. Fabric masks have the addition benefit of reusability. Of course, such barrier precautions have to be coupled with proper hand hygiene as well! 

Hi @TK no problem, glad to help! The second link you wanted to discuss does not seem to work, perhaps try pasting it again?

Hi @nightspray  thank you for your question. 
In terms of coronovirus, there is insufficient data to conclude that there is possibility of maternal to neonatal (fetus) transmission. And the same for SARS and MERS. 

Further,  in general, pregnant ladies are more prone to infections and more susceptible to complications that can arise from infections. 
For the case of these respiratory viruses (SARS, MERS, Influenza,  Covid , etc), the primary concern is that of pneumonia. 

Theoretically pregnant ladies have less respiratory reserve compared to another person of the same age who isn’t pregnant. As a result, this means they are less likely able to compensate if they were to develop pneumonia which causes a further decrease in lung capacity. Pregnancy also alters immunity which may increase risk and severity of infections. 

I would refer to pregnant ladies as an at risk population and would advise increase precautions such as hand hygiene/using mask/avoiding crowded areas especially during the third trimester. If you know of a positive contact you’ve been near to/went to high risk areas in Singapore and develop symptoms of respiratory illness, it would be good to visit a GP or ANE ASAP depending on severity. At present the most important thing is a high degree if suspicion rather than the type of symptoms one has. 

I hope this helps! 

Hi @nightspray. Thank you for your question. 

Unfortunately not much is known regarding this and it is only postulated that they can survive to up to 1 week on surfaces however the duration of activity is ill determined. They have however been proven to be effectively removed with disinfectants. 

 

Hi @vermie , based on current guidelines, it may not be necessary to go to TTSH (since your friend has no symptoms he is 1st ring of exposure, and you are in ring 2) unless you have severe features of flu (breathlessness, etc) based on your situation. 

Doing so may result in unnecessary waiting and time wastage on your end if they determine you are at low risk and turn you away. Instead, I would recommend a teleconsult or to visit your nearby GP clinic to determine if you have any severe features. 

Note that although the teleconsult from home option through platforms like DoctorWorld is more convenient, if you are found to have severe features, you may still need to visit your nearby GP clinic to be examined and for them to assess if you are truly at risk and in need of testing in TTSH. Hope this helps!