SINGAPORE, Dec. 24 (CNA) - Singapore has confirmed its first COVID-19 case carrying the potentially more contagious strain of the virus circulating in the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday (Dec 23).

The case confirmed to be carrying the B117 strain is known as Case 58504. She is a 17-year-old female who had been studying in the UK since August.

She returned to Singapore on Dec 6 and served her stay-home notice at a dedicated facility upon arrival.

The student developed a fever on Dec 7, and was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on Dec 8, said MOH. She was included among the imported cases reported on that day.

"All her close contacts had been placed on quarantine, and had tested negative for COVID-19 infection at the end of their quarantine period," said MOH.

"As she had been isolated upon arrival in Singapore, we were able to ringfence this case so that there was no further transmission arising from her."

The ministry added that there is "currently no evidence that the B117 strain is circulating in the community".

"All the cases had been placed on 14-day (stay-home notice) at dedicated facilities or isolated upon arrival in Singapore, and their close contacts had been quarantined earlier," said MOH.