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Singapore's Health Ministry has confirmed
that the 27-year-old researcher, who contracted SARS in September,
was infected in the Environmental Health Institute (EHI) Laboratory
where he worked.
It is the first SARS case in Singapore
since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the country
SARS-free on May 31 and globally on July 5.
A high-level review panel said inappropriate
laboratory procedures, coupled with a cross-contamination
of the West Nile virus and SARS coronavirus from samples in
the laboratory were to blame.
There is also scientific support for the panel's
conclusion
The panel has recommended the EHI laboratory
reopen after an audit of its safety standards, and staff have
been trained in safety procedures.
Its stock of the SARS virus should also be destroyed.
But it did not recommend action against the
researcher who has since recovered.
Press release by the Ministry of Health >>>
Full report by the Review Panel >>>
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SARS
Hotline Numbers
For those with SARS symptoms,
help is just a call away.
Anyone displaying symptoms can call the
Health Ministry hotline at 1800-225-4122 till
11 pm.
If they need medical attention, they can
call 9178 8477 or 9178 8478 for an ambulance
to ferry them to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Those under home quarantine orders
and who need financial assistance in daily needs can
call 6325 8470.
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Read the press release by the Ministry
of Health here >>>
Follow-up Measures by the National University
of Singapore >>>
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Dr Toh Chin Chye's funeral on Tuesday