SINGAPORE — Singtel has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday (March 5) night.

In a statement released on Friday, the telco said that it had asked staff members working on level 20 of Singtel Comcentre I at Somerset to work from home for 14 days. That was the level at which the infected employee worked. 

The staff members were advised to closely monitor their health for symptoms and practise strict social distancing.

A cleaning crew approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) was brought in overnight to disinfect the entire level, Singtel said. 

The employee who contracted the coronavirus was last in the office on Feb 26 before he went on medical leave. 

“He is currently in the hospital receiving treatment and we are supporting him and his family in every way we can,” a spokesperson from Singtel said. 

The telecommunications company said that it is also working with the MOH to trace close contacts.

“We are moving as fast as we can to ensure all parties who have been in close contact with our affected colleague can be identified swiftly.” 

Singtel said that the company has been practising team segregation and has workplace diversity measures in place since Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) Orange was announced in early February, to manage the risk of infection while ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. 

“Our business continuity plans also include strict travel bans and declaration requirements besides stringent visitor controls,” Singtel said. 

“We have imposed a higher frequency of cleaning and disinfection of all office premises, which are equipped with temperature screening and sanitisers. We will continue to stay vigilant to protect the health and well-being of our staff.”

In a statement issued later on Friday, Singtel said there are 56 staff who work on level 20 but no evacuation took place as the diagnosis was only confirmed after office hours.

"All 56 staff were immediately informed (on Thursday) night to work from home and did not come into the office (on Friday) morning," said Ms Lian Pek, Singtel's vice-president for group strategic communications and brand.

Singapore has 117 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in total as of March 5. 

Of these, 81 have been discharged and seven are in critical condition under intensive care.