Experts: Current safety measures adequate

Amid growing concerns about a new strain of the coronavirus surfacing here, experts have said measures now in place, such as wearing masks and social distancing, are sufficient to combat its spread.

Two new strains of the disease have been discovered in Britain and South Africa.

The new B117 strain of Covid-19 in Britain is reportedly 70% more contagious, but has not shown signs of being more lethal or severe.

The first case of this strain was recorded here last Wednesday, in a 17-year-old Singaporean girl who had returned from Britain.

Prof Ooi Eng Eong from the Duke-NUS Medical School said the current measures were sufficient even with the new strains.

“I do not think there is a need for stricter measures. Even if the mutation increases the likelihood of spread, the modes of transmission remain the same.

“Control measures are tailored to the mode of transmission, not the likelihood of the spread, ” he said.

Infectious diseases specialist Leong Hoe Nam agreed the current safety measures in Singapore were adequate against the new strains.

He said: “The virus has a weakness. It must infect via contact or droplet. Block those two effectively and the virus is rendered harmless.”

Noting the various stringent methods in Singapore like SafeEntry, masks, social distancing and swab tests, Dr Leong said these should be considered not as separate methods but multiple layers of measures working together.

He added that airport staff should be vigilant and stringent, following the discovery of the new strains.

From last Wednesday, all Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew members working on flights from London have had to wear N95 masks and protective overalls amid growing concerns about the new strain of the virus.

Prior to this, cabin crew had been wearing goggles, gloves and surgical masks on all flights. — The Straits Times/ANN