Covid-19: Singapore's tally breaches 13,000 mark

CORONAVIRUS | Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) today reported a total of 931 new cases of Covid-19 infection, bringing the tally to 13,624.

In a statement here, the MOH attributed the vast majority of the cases to foreign workers residing in dormitories while only 15 cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents.

From yesterday’s tally of 12,693, Singapore classified 10,525 as dorm residents or about three percent from the total of about 323,000 foreign workers staying in dormitories.

The ministry noted that it is still working through the details of the cases, and further updates will be shared later in the day.

As at noon yesterday, Singapore recorded 618 new cases of Covid-19 infection, of which about 96 percent was dorm residents while 12 involved work permit holders residing outside dormitories.

There were no imported cases and only nine cases in the community were reported on Saturday.

In a detailed statement issued late last night, the MOH said it was picking up many more cases due to extensive testing.

“Most of these cases have a mild illness and are being monitored in community isolation facilities or in the general ward of our hospitals. None of them is in the intensive care unit,” it said.

The MOH noted that of yesterday’s 618 new cases, 81 percent are linked to known clusters, while the rest are pending contact tracing.

In the past week (April 18 to 24), the ministry said it has uncovered links for 1,226 previously unlinked cases.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,002 cases have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities, 24 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit, while 12 have died.

Singapore has identified seven more new clusters on Saturday, namely ASPRIWestlite Papan; Kian Teck Hostel; SCM Tuas Lodge; Northpoint City; 21, Defu South Street 1; 8, Martin Place; and 107, West Coast Vale.

Singapore’s largest cluster, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol has so far a total of 2,268 confirmed cases.

From Saturday’s tally, Singapore also classified 1,135 as community cases, 569 imported cases, and 464 cases involving work permit holders not residing in dorms.

- Bernama

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