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CNN Live Saturday
Singapore Takes Extreme Measures to Stop Spread of SARS
Aired April 19, 2003 - 16:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: One nation in Southeast Asia has taken extreme steps to limit the spread of SARS. CNN's Andrew Brown has more from Singapore.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Singapore SARS patients who have been sent to an intensive care ward aren't just sick. They're all very lonely. Because their condition is highly infectious, they're allowed visits from only one relative, and are separated from their loved one by protective glass. There are no exceptions to that rule.
LAWRENCE LEE, SINGAPORE DOCTOR: We've had a few cases of the patients who were dying in the ICU. And in that case, we let them look through the glass, but even then there is no contact.
BROWN: That may sound harsh, but officials in Singapore say their policy of isolating SARS sufferers stops the disease spreading around the community.
(on camera): Out on the streets, the policy seems to be working. Hardly anyone's wearing a face mask here. Many people say they feel safe and they are going on with their lives as normal.
(voice-over): The Singapore government began isolating patients early, and on March 24, friends and relatives of infected people were also ordered to remain in their homes, or face prosecution. The Hong Kong government waited until April the 10th to introduce similar measures, and by that time, the disease had swept through many residential areas. In contrast, Singapore officials say they have contained SARS mainly within the hospital system.
BALAJI SADASIVAN, MINISTER OF HEALTH: Eighty-five percent of the people who caught SARS in Singapore, in fact, more than 85 percent, caught their infection in the hospital. And the remaining 15 percent caught it at home from the relatives when they had fallen ill.
BROWN: People at risk from the disease in their own homes are under surveillance. Cameras have been set up in their apartments so officials can make sure they don't violate their quarantine.
ALVIN SENG, GOVT. ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL: Generally, Singaporans are quite cooperative, and when we install, we explain to them and they know that we are the representative from the Ministry of Health. We have not received any resistance. BROWN: Some doctors say SARS can be controlled more easily in a society like Singapore, where ordinary people trust their leaders to make the right decisions.
WELSIANG YU, SINGAPORE DOCTOR: They are probably more adaptable to quick rules and regulations.
BROWN: But with the epidemic continuing, it may take more than effective government to defeat this disease.
Andrew Brown, CNN, Singapore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 19, 2003 - 16:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: One nation in Southeast Asia has taken extreme steps to limit the spread of SARS. CNN's Andrew Brown has more from Singapore.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Singapore SARS patients who have been sent to an intensive care ward aren't just sick. They're all very lonely. Because their condition is highly infectious, they're allowed visits from only one relative, and are separated from their loved one by protective glass. There are no exceptions to that rule.
LAWRENCE LEE, SINGAPORE DOCTOR: We've had a few cases of the patients who were dying in the ICU. And in that case, we let them look through the glass, but even then there is no contact.
BROWN: That may sound harsh, but officials in Singapore say their policy of isolating SARS sufferers stops the disease spreading around the community.
(on camera): Out on the streets, the policy seems to be working. Hardly anyone's wearing a face mask here. Many people say they feel safe and they are going on with their lives as normal.
(voice-over): The Singapore government began isolating patients early, and on March 24, friends and relatives of infected people were also ordered to remain in their homes, or face prosecution. The Hong Kong government waited until April the 10th to introduce similar measures, and by that time, the disease had swept through many residential areas. In contrast, Singapore officials say they have contained SARS mainly within the hospital system.
BALAJI SADASIVAN, MINISTER OF HEALTH: Eighty-five percent of the people who caught SARS in Singapore, in fact, more than 85 percent, caught their infection in the hospital. And the remaining 15 percent caught it at home from the relatives when they had fallen ill.
BROWN: People at risk from the disease in their own homes are under surveillance. Cameras have been set up in their apartments so officials can make sure they don't violate their quarantine.
ALVIN SENG, GOVT. ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL: Generally, Singaporans are quite cooperative, and when we install, we explain to them and they know that we are the representative from the Ministry of Health. We have not received any resistance. BROWN: Some doctors say SARS can be controlled more easily in a society like Singapore, where ordinary people trust their leaders to make the right decisions.
WELSIANG YU, SINGAPORE DOCTOR: They are probably more adaptable to quick rules and regulations.
BROWN: But with the epidemic continuing, it may take more than effective government to defeat this disease.
Andrew Brown, CNN, Singapore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
