Part 6/12:
In practice, healthcare workers relied on clinical symptoms—fever, cough, sore throat, and pneumonia-like imaging—complemented by molecular tests. The challenge was early recognition, especially when patients exhibited mild symptoms or had not yet developed a fever.
The First Cases and Rapid Response in Singapore
Singapore, a bustling travel hub, closely monitored incoming travelers from Wuhan. The first confirmed case was a 66-year-old man who arrived from Wuhan on January 20. His case was detected swiftly through laboratory testing, which involved detailed activity mapping—tracking his movements and contacts to contain potential outbreaks.