Last updated on May 7th, 2021 at 06:21 am
Singapore has started charging visitors for coronavirus treatment, the city-state said as it reported three new imported infections, two of which involved Indonesians. Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country, reported its first virus case earlier this month and officially has just 19 infections compared to 160 in Singapore. Disease experts have questioned how many cases go undiagnosed in Indonesia.
Both had reported coronavirus symptoms in Indonesia before arriving in Singapore. One had previously sought treatment at a hospital in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta. Another case involved a Singaporean who had visited her sister in Indonesia who had pneumonia. Declaring its new stance on payment for treatment, the health ministry did not mention these specific cases.
Foreigners who are short-term visit pass holders who seek treatment for Covid-19 in Singapore need to pay but testing for the virus remains free. Treatment of severe respiratory infections in Singapore public hospitals typically cost between S$6,000 – S$8,000 ($4,300-5,800), according to the Ministry of Health’s website. Of 33 imported cases reported by Singapore to date, 24 involve travel to China – where the virus first surfaced late last year – three to Indonesia and the others to Italy, Britain, France and Germany.
Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in the United States, said in a study last month that Indonesia should strengthen outbreak surveillance and control. The Harvard team said Indonesia’s lack of confirmed cases at that time “may suggest the potential for undetected cases” as air travel may contribute to cases being exported from China.
Have you ever had a little heart attack when your phone is out of your pocket and you cannot feel…
Justin Bieber's journey from a YouTube sensation to a global pop icon has been nothing short of remarkable. From his…
Looking forward to 2030, Malaysia faces a formidable obstacle in the shape of a developing water crisis that endangers millions…
From trending in the global charts in various segments be it TikTok stars, Instagram Influencers, or Hollywood Actors, Filipino artists…
When 2024 got underway, moviegoers everywhere anticipated a year full of ground-breaking narratives and state-of-the-art technologies that would completely change…
Zayn Malik's sincere search for a real connection was greeted with suspicion and charges of catfishing in a world where…
This website uses cookies.
Read More