SINGAPORE: Singapore on Friday raised its coronavirus alert level and reported more cases not linked to previous infections or travel to China, a move that sparked panic-buying of essentials in some shops across the island. As Singapore's infected tally hit 33, the alert level was raised to orange - a level reached during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak and the 2009 H1N1 influenza which indicates the virus is severe and passes easily between persons. People stock up on food supplies after Singapore raised coronavirus outbreak alert to orange, at a supermarket in Singapore February 7, 2020. REUTERSSingapore's highest alert level is red, which indicates the virus is spreading widely and can result in major disruption such as closing schools. "People are not sure what the raised virus alert means and are stocking up food items and other essentials.

Source: New Strait Times February 07, 2020 15:11 UTC