Singapore Reports 47 New Covid-19 Cases On 18 Mar
The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 47 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore on Wednesday (18 Mar).
This brings the total to 313, and marks a new high after yesterday’s (17 Mar) already shocking record of 23 cases.
Imported cases continue to make up a large portion, with 33 out of 47 being either visitors or residents entering from other countries.
33 cases involve travellers who recently entered Singapore
The 33 imported cases had been to countries in the following regions:
- Asia
- Europe
- North America
Of the 33, 30 are returning residents and long-term pass holders, while only 3 were overseas visitors.
Of the other 14, MOH is still tracing 5 with no links, while 9 have various connections to past cases, as follows:
- 2 are linked to the Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah) and boulder+ gym clusters
- 1 has connections with Case 183 and 252, who had apparently visited Masjid Al-Muttaqin in Ang Mo Kio
- 6 have links to several previous cases
For full details of all 47 new cases, you can refer to the table MOH included in the press release here.
Although 3 more patients have recovered, 15 others are now in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
This means Singapore has had 117 discharge cases so far.
Singapore residents to defer all travels, all returning ones to self-isolate
In light of the sudden spike, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said all Singaporeans and short-term visitors returning from any country will need to serve the 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Now that more Singaporeans, especially students and workers, are coming home from abroad, we will have to be mentally prepared for consistently high numbers in days to come.
He was quoted as saying,
We cannot afford to take further risks if the number of imported cases continue to rise. That’s why additional measures are being put in place.
Now instead of an advisory against non-essential travel, residents should defer all travels regardless of purpose, states MOH.
As additional precaution, Singaporeans coming home from any part of the world will need to serve the SHN and self-isolate for 14 days.
Featured image adapted from AFP.
