SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 3,994 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Oct 19) as seven more people died from complications due to the virus.
The fatalities are five men and two women aged between 57 and 90 years. Three of them were unvaccinated against COVID-19, one was partially vaccinated and three were fully vaccinated.
Six of the cases had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. One unvaccinated case had no known medical conditions.
This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 246.
The 3,994 new cases reported on Tuesday are an increase from the 2,553 reported on Monday. It is the first time in four days that new infections have risen.
Among the new cases, 3,981 are locally transmitted, comprising 3,480 infections in the community and 501 in migrant workers' dormitories.
Thirteen are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to media at about 10.40pm.
"There is a usual post-weekend surge in cases today," said the ministry, adding that it will have to "closely monitor cases for the next few days, to determine if this is a temporary spike or a further surge in infections".
"Nevertheless, over the past week, we have observed a rise in activity levels, including a higher number of visitors across all malls, larger crowds in the Orchard Road area, as well as a slight increase in public transport ridership," said MOH.
The ministry said the number of unvaccinated seniors above the age of 60 who have been infected has risen over the past few days, to "well over 100" a day, and that these seniors are at risk of falling very sick.
"The number of persons requiring ICU care continues to rise, and this has put our hospitals under significant pressure and strain," said MOH.
The ministry said it "strongly" encourages everyone, especially the elderly and people with comorbidities who are more vulnerable to severe illnesses, to limit social activities and go out only for essential activities.
As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported a total of 154,725 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.
While Singapore’s approach to dealing with COVID-19 may appear to be a "flip-flop" to some, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday said it has helped the country prevent the massive number of deaths that many countries have suffered.
"We did not take a purist 'zero COVID' or 'living with COVID' approach. We adopted an eradication strategy when our population was vulnerable, mainly last year and earlier part of this year," he said.
"After vaccines have given us a protective shield, we are opening up progressively, and avoiding a sudden lifting of all restrictions. Some may feel that this middle of the road approach is perhaps unclear, and may even appear to be a 'flip-flop'," he said.
"But it has helped us avert the massive deaths that many countries have suffered," he added.
"It is the correct approach for Singapore, and day by day, we are moving closer to the light at the end of the tunnel."
From Tuesday, Singapore is opening up to vaccinated travellers from eight more countries through the quarantine-free vaccinated travel lanes . The countries are: Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
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The fatalities are five men and two women aged between 57 and 90 years. Three of them were unvaccinated against COVID-19, one was partially vaccinated and three were fully vaccinated.
Six of the cases had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. One unvaccinated case had no known medical conditions.
This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 246.
The 3,994 new cases reported on Tuesday are an increase from the 2,553 reported on Monday. It is the first time in four days that new infections have risen.
Among the new cases, 3,981 are locally transmitted, comprising 3,480 infections in the community and 501 in migrant workers' dormitories.
Thirteen are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to media at about 10.40pm.
"There is a usual post-weekend surge in cases today," said the ministry, adding that it will have to "closely monitor cases for the next few days, to determine if this is a temporary spike or a further surge in infections".
"Nevertheless, over the past week, we have observed a rise in activity levels, including a higher number of visitors across all malls, larger crowds in the Orchard Road area, as well as a slight increase in public transport ridership," said MOH.
The ministry said the number of unvaccinated seniors above the age of 60 who have been infected has risen over the past few days, to "well over 100" a day, and that these seniors are at risk of falling very sick.
"The number of persons requiring ICU care continues to rise, and this has put our hospitals under significant pressure and strain," said MOH.
The ministry said it "strongly" encourages everyone, especially the elderly and people with comorbidities who are more vulnerable to severe illnesses, to limit social activities and go out only for essential activities.
As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported a total of 154,725 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.
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NOT A "FLIP-FLOP"
While Singapore’s approach to dealing with COVID-19 may appear to be a "flip-flop" to some, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday said it has helped the country prevent the massive number of deaths that many countries have suffered.
"We did not take a purist 'zero COVID' or 'living with COVID' approach. We adopted an eradication strategy when our population was vulnerable, mainly last year and earlier part of this year," he said.
"After vaccines have given us a protective shield, we are opening up progressively, and avoiding a sudden lifting of all restrictions. Some may feel that this middle of the road approach is perhaps unclear, and may even appear to be a 'flip-flop'," he said.
"But it has helped us avert the massive deaths that many countries have suffered," he added.
"It is the correct approach for Singapore, and day by day, we are moving closer to the light at the end of the tunnel."
From Tuesday, Singapore is opening up to vaccinated travellers from eight more countries through the quarantine-free vaccinated travel lanes . The countries are: Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Related:
BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Continue reading...