Singapore challenged by coronavirus, but has system to handle it: WHO


By Reuters 

Singapore is facing a very challenging situation to tackle a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, but has the healthcare system and risk management capacity to handle it, the World Health Organization’s regional chief said on Tuesday.

A man is seen by healthcare workers at Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, as the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Singapore April 7, 2020. (Ministry of Manpower Singapore/Handout via REUTERS / MANILA BULLETIN) A man is seen by healthcare workers at Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, as the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Singapore April 7, 2020. (Ministry of Manpower Singapore/Handout via REUTERS / MANILA BULLETIN)

Takeshi Kasai, the WHO Western Pacific director, said at a regular briefing that Singapore had prior experience dealing with virus outbreaks and despite facing “very difficult challenges” from a surge in infections, was in a good position to manage it.

The city-state has 8,014 cases of coronavirus, the largest number in Southeast Asia.