One of the lecturers at the National University of Singapore, attended by 22-year-old Rachel Hutchinson, has died suddenly. While it has not been confirmed, authorities suspect he had contracted the virus. The latest figures show a total of 23 people have died from the virus in Singapore.

    A daughter of Alan and Hilary Hutchinson, Rachel is studying Law at the University of Bristol but is studying abroad in Singapore for a year as part of an exchange programme.

    SARS came to her attention six weeks ago following deaths in Vietnam and shortly after cases were discovered in Singapore.

    The virus is believed to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guang dong. It has killed more than 2,000 people and has infected almost 4,000.

    “SARS dominates the news here and has done for the last six weeks — even during the war,” she said. “The university began to issue warnings regarding the symptoms and the government designated a hospital especially for SARS patients,” she explained.

    All recreational facilities at the University closed five weeks ago. As the situation worsened, many international students have chosen to leave and the University has become relatively deserted. Classes have been cancelled.

    Rachel has her temperature taken every day. “As part of University policy, thermometers have been distributed to everyone on campus and it is compulsory for all students and staff to have their temperatures taken daily at their residences. Also, any students returning to the University from SARS affected areas are quarantined for 10 days,” she said.

    “The Singaporean government has taken drastic measures to try and control the virus. ‘SARS ambulances’ are available round the clock and thermometers are being distributed to all the schools. New legislation is being drafted which will impose fines and possible jail sentences on those who breach quarantine or suspect they have SARS and do not take action,” Rachel added.

    Her university term officially ends on May 3. Her original plans to travel in Vietnam were changed following recommendations against travel in Hanoi. Instead, she is going to Australia for three weeks, spending some time in Thailand and Cambodia before she returns home. Her plans may change, depending on how much the virus spreads. Thermal scanners have been installed at the airports in Singapore, and all passengers are scanned.

    The discovery of the virus has affected her life there. “I am becoming more cautious as the virus spreads. It is quite scary — we have just heard that one of the many university lecturers has died suddenly and whilst it has not been confirmed, they suspect it is because he contracted the virus. I do however realise that Singapore is in a much better position than Hong Kong and China and the measures that the government is taking are very encouraging. My time here hasn’t ended the way I planned it to. The atmosphere around the campus is subdued and it has been a sad conclusion to an otherwise great year. I am definitely looking forward to leaving next week,” she said.