In January this year, I was contacted by my research collaborators in China about a newly-identified coronavirus that was causing a serious respiratory illness in patients. They told me about the clinical and infection control challenges they faced, and the draconian public health measures imposed by the government in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.
On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation named the illness '2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease' – now known to us all as COVID-19 – and declared it a public health emergency of international concern. (The virus was later named SARS-CoV-2.) By then, there were 7,818 reported cases in 18 countries.
The following day, the UK saw its first two cases, both travellers who had been to China.
Measuring body temperature at supermarket in Wuhan, China, during coronavirus outbreak. (Credit: Painjet)
Measuring body temperature at supermarket in Wuhan, China, during coronavirus outbreak. (Credit: Painjet)
In March, I visited Singapore, a country that had experienced the devastating impact of the previous SARS epidemic, which had emerged in 2002. I was immediately struck by how seriously they were already taking infection control measures.
On arrival at Changi airport I was screened with a symptom and travel questionnaire and had my temperature checked before being allowed to enter the country. Everyone who had arrived from a high-risk country was being instructed to quarantine as well as being tracked using an electronic app, telephone calls, and in-person visits.
It was not uncommon for Singaporeans to wear face coverings as they went about their daily lives. The Singapore government was already issuing daily on-line COVID-19 situation reports.
During my stay I visited the National University Hospital where standard personal protective equipment (PPE) was being worn for contact with all patients, and enhanced PPE for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, who were also isolated in individual negative pressure rooms.
When I returned to the UK a week later, the contrast between the public health responses in the two countries could not have been more different. On arrival at Heathrow, I was handed a COVID-19 information leaflet, and advised to self-isolate and to call the NHS 111 helpline if I developed COVID-19 symptoms.
At this point the UK was reporting over 1,000 cases a day - many more than in Singapore.
