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Contact tracing became a vital tool, aiming to identify and quarantine anyone who had contact with the confirmed case, thereby interrupting transmission chains. Each case was scrutinized to determine if they had been in close contact—generally defined as proximity within two meters for at least 30 minutes.
The Complexities of Contact Tracing and Containment
The logistical challenge of contact tracing in a metropolis like Singapore, with extensive regional connectivity, was immense. Authorities worked closely with transport agencies, hotels, and international partners to track contacts. For instance, the patient’s journey from airport to hotel, and then within the hotel itself, was meticulously reconstructed.