SINGAPORE — Whenever the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirms that a person has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be notified and ensure that the places these patients have been to are properly disinfected, Mr Masagos Zulkifli said.

The Minister of Environment and Water Resources told reporters on Wednesday (Feb 5) that NEA will ensure that the cleaners are properly supervised so that the hygiene of the places can be guaranteed.

“We (want to) assure the public that immediately after we know there’s a case (of coronavirus infection), NEA will supervise the premises’ owners to make sure that the place is properly disinfected and that it is safe for the public to go,” Mr Masagos said.

He added that it is important for people to know such facts so that they do not get swayed by rumours and avoid going to places where infected patients have been.

Singapore announced its first case of local transmission on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases of the coronavirus in the city-state to 24.

The virus, which originated in the city of Wuhan from the Hubei province of China, has spread to 27 other countries and killed close to 500 people, most of them Chinese nationals.

Besides disinfecting areas where infected patients have been, Mr Masagos said that the Government is stepping up the cleaning of high-traffic areas in public housing estates, including railings, lift buttons and playgrounds.

NEA has also issued advisories to owners of private premises, and the Government expects them to realise the urgency of the situation and to step up the frequency of their cleaning.

“We think we have to keep this up until such time that MOH gives us the (all-clear) that there will not be disease spread in the community. This is the best way... to prevent community spread,” Mr Masagos said.

He also called on Singaporeans to improve their own hygiene habits and be “first-world people”.