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Singtel has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for Covid-19.

Singtel Comcentre employee confirmed with Covid-19

In a statement provided to Mothership, a Singtel spokesperson confirmed that a male employee was diagnosed with the virus on Thursday (March 5) night.

He is currently warded and receiving treatment, and Singtel is supporting the employee and his family in every way possible, the spokesperson added.

According to the statement, the patient worked at level 20 of Singtel Comcentre I prior to hospitalisation.

He was last in the office on February 26 before going on medical leave.

The spokesperson said Singtel's level 20 offices were closed for cleaning and disinfection, with a group of MOH-approved cleaning crew brought in overnight.

Those working on the same floor have been instructed to work from home for 14 days, monitoring themselves for symptoms and practising strict social distancing while contact tracing is conducted in tandem with the health ministry.

"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," the spokesperson said.

Precautionary measures enhanced since DORSCON Orange

Singtel also said it has been strictly practising team segregation and workplace diversity measures since the announcement of DORSCON Orange.

The telco also says it implemented strict travel bans and declaration requirements besides stringent visitor controls as part of its business continuity plan.

The organisation has also imposed a higher frequency of cleaning and disinfection of all office premises which are equipped with temperature screening and sanitisers.

You can read Singtel's statement in full here:

We regret to inform that one of our colleagues was diagnosed with COVID-19 last night. He is currently in hospital receiving treatment and we are supporting him and his family in every way we can.

Our immediate priority has been to manage and minimise the risk of infection at Singtel Comcentre I where our colleague worked on level 20. He was last in office on 26 February before going on medical leave. We have closed off level 20 and an MOH-approved cleaning crew was brought in overnight to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the entire floor.

Meanwhile, those working on the same floor have been instructed to work from home for 14 days, closely monitor for symptoms and practice strict social distancing while contact tracing is conducted in tandem with MOH. 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.

While this is unfortunate news, our team segregation and workplace diversity measures have been strictly practiced since DORSCON Orange was announced. This is designed to manage the risk of infection while ensuring minimal disruption to our business operations. Our BCP plans also include strict travel bans and declaration requirements besides stringent visitor controls. 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.

As of March 5, Singapore has 117 confirmed cases in total. Of these, 81 have been discharged and seven are in ICU.

Top photo via Singtel's YouTube video