COVID-19: Singapore confirms 347 new cases, seven in community

By Massita Ahmad

SINGAPORE, July 14 -- Singapore has preliminarily confirmed an additional 347 cases of COVID-19 infection with seven cases in the community.

According to brief noon data released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) today, of the seven cases, one is a Singaporean and six are work pass holders.

This brings the infection tally for the republic to 46,630 cases.

In addition, the ministry said there were two imported cases involving those placed on Stay-Home Notice upon arrival in Singapore.

The vast majority of today's cases are still work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories.

"To date, we have tested and cleared more than 215,000 workers or two-thirds of those living in dormitories. Work is ongoing to prepare these dormitories to be declared cleared, and for workers to resume work," it said.

The MOH noted that it is on track to clear about 80 per cent of workers staying in the dormitories by end-July, and to complete the testing of dormitory residents around mid-August.

"In the next few days, we have a larger population of migrant workers in various purpose-built dormitories completing their isolation period and being tested for COVID-19.

"As some of them came from dormitories with a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection, we can expect a higher number of confirmed cases in the next few days from this group of migrant workers," it said.

In its full data released late yesterday, Singapore classified 616 of its cases as imported, 2,063 as community cases and 43,604 as dorm residents.

As at noon yesterday, 42,541 or about 92 per cent of the patients had fully recovered and been discharged from hospitals or community care facilities.

There were still 166 confirmed cases in hospital yesterday, with one in the intensive care unit.

The statement added that 3,550 patients who had symptoms or were clinically well but still tested positive for COVID-19 have been isolated and are being cared for at community facilities.

So far, 26 people have died in the city-state from complications due to COVID-19, with the first two fatalities reported on March 21. 

One new cluster was identified yesterday, a dormitory at 59H Tuas South Avenue 1.

-- BERNAMA