The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 120 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore today (5 Apr), in a new highest daily record yet. Today’s numbers bring Singapore’s total to 1,309.
No specific details are available, except that 116 are local and 4 imported, according to The Straits Times (ST).
Of the 116 local cases, 76 are long-term pass holders while 39 are Singapore citizens or permanent residents (PRs).
MOH currently has no detailed breakdown of the patients’ information.
With dormitories emerging as infection clusters, 2 have already been classified as “isolation areas”, reports TODAY.
This means that roughly 20,000 foreign workers at S11 Dormitory @ Punggol and Westlite in Toh Guan will have to undergo a 2-week quarantine.
Source
ST notes that 22 new cases linked to the S11 Dormitory at Seletar North Link mean the cluster now has 62 cases.
10 new cases at Westlite Toh Guan meanwhile bring the cluster total to 28 so far.
Thankfully for the workers under quarantine, the authorities will be caring for their welfare.
MOH announced in a press release that meals as well as healthcare supplies like masks, thermometers and hand sanitisers will be provided throughout the 14-day period.
They will also have separate meal times and fewer opportunities to intermingle, to reduce chances of infection. They’ll have to remain in their rooms or on their respective floors as much as possible.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is engaging dormitory operators to implement the above measures at all dorms, while trying to find alternative living arrangements for workers at larger dorms.
The 13,000 workers from S11 Dormitory and 6,800 from Westlite will continue receiving their salaries while under quarantine, which qualifies as paid hospitalisation leave.
For these workers, employers can claim a $100 “daily quarantine allowance”. Options to find replacements can be arranged for affected workers in essential services.
Medical support will be available at the dorms, to treat workers onsite and isolate any suspect cases immediately.
Source
Some who have showed symptoms recently are already in isolation.
MOH reminds Singaporeans that the dorm clusters by no means indicate that the workers are at higher risk of infection than others.
They are simply taking precautionary measures in the interest of the workers’ safety.
As hospitals are admitting more cases each day, facilities to accommodate milder cases are springing up to free up space for those who need more urgent attention.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed today (5 Apr) that Singapore Expo will soon serve as a “community care facility”, in a separate CNA report.
On top of the private hospitals already doing the same, preparations for Singapore Expo to follow suit are underway.
Such facilities will only house patients who are on the mend, but have not fully recovered. 414 are currently in one of the following care centres:
MOH confirmed in a press release that 23 more patients have recovered and left hospital, meaning total discharge cases now stands at 320.
25 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).
With non-essential places closing on Tuesday (7 Apr), let’s hope that Singapore can get the infections under control soon.
For now, MS News wishes all patients a smooth recovery.
Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Google Maps.
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