COVID-19: Singapore reports 690 new cases, tally exceeds 15,000-mark

SINGAPORE: Singapore today confirmed an additional 690 new cases of COVID-19 infections, of which only six involved cases in the community while the ‘vast majority' from dorm residents.

In a statement here, the republic's Ministry of Health (MOH) noted that it is still working through the details of the cases, and further updates will be shared later in the day.

The latest numbers bring the tally for the republic to 15,641 cases.

In a detailed statement issued late Tuesday, the MOH said the number of new cases in the community has decreased, from an average of 28 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 17 per day in the past week.

The MOH noted that of yesterday’s 528 new cases, 83 per cent were linked to known clusters, while the rest were pending contact tracing.

In the past week (April 21 to 27), the ministry said it had uncovered links for 1,203 previously unlinked cases.

The ministry said the number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased, from an average of 18 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 10 per day in the past week.

From Tuesday’s tally of 14,951, Singapore classified 1,181 as community cases, 571 imported cases, and 505 cases involving work permit holders not residing in dorms.

Meanwhile, the ministry said dorm residents dominated the tally by about 85 per cent or 12,694 cases, with most cases had mild illness but none needs intensive care.

Singapore has identified four more new clusters on Tuesday, namely 33, Sungei Kadut Loop; 23H, Sungei Kadut Street; 10, Tagore Drive; and 51H, Tuas South Ave 1.

The republic's largest cluster, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol has so far a total of 2,302 confirmed cases.

To date, 1,128 patients have fully recovered, while 21 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit, and 14 have died.

-- BERNAMA