SINGAPORE : The worst of the hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak may be over. Some 1,246 cases were reported in the week ending May 10. That was 210 cases fewer than the week before.

The total number of cases this year, as at 3pm on Monday, stood at 11,896.

Currently six childcare centres and pre-schools are closed by order of the Health Ministry - down from 17 last week.

24 centres have been advised to consider voluntary closure - down from 48 last week.

The Ministry said closing a centre is vital in stopping the transmission of the virus. It also allows premises to be thoroughly cleaned.

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