Covid-19: 35 new cases reported; 3 new clusters emerge, including 1 at a live music bar on Circular Road

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (March 30) announced 35 more cases of Covid-19 in the country, bringing the total number of infections here to 879.

Of the 35 new infections, nine were imported cases who had travel history to Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Twelve cases were linked to previous cases or clusters, while 14 others have no links established yet and contact tracing is ongoing for these cases.

MOH also identified three new clusters of infections: S11 Dormitory @ Punggol, serviced apartments Wilby Residences in Bukit Timah, and Hero’s — a live bar on Circular Road in Boat Quay.

In its media statement, the ministry added that 16 more patients were discharged from the hospitals or community isolation facilities, bringing the tally of those discharged here to 228.  

It also said that one of the newly confirmed cases — identified as Case 853 — is a porter at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

He is a 20-year-old Malaysian who is a Singapore work pass holder, and had been in Malaysia from March 16 to 17.

He had reported an onset of symptoms on March 28, and tested positive for Covid-19 on March 29 in the afternoon. He is warded at NCID. 

MOH said that he had not gone to work since he developed symptoms.

Of the 420 patients who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. Nineteen people are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

There are 228 patients who are clinically well but still test positive for Covid-19 — they are isolated and cared for at Concord International Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and the Community Isolation Facility at D’Resort NTUC.

Three people have died from complications due to Covid-19.

LINKS BETWEEN PREVIOUS CASES

Further epidemiological investigations and contact tracing have uncovered links between previously announced and new cases. This was made possible with the assistance of the Singapore Police Force, MOH said.

• Forty-seven of the confirmed cases (Cases 94, 96, 107, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 137, 139, 140, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 164, 166, 174, 179, 185, 186, 196, 201, 218 and 224) are linked to a private dinner function at Safra Jurong on Feb 15. Two (Cases 142 and 144) are linked to Boulder+ Gym at Aperia Mall in Kallang and Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah).

  • Six of the confirmed cases (Cases 142, 162, 163, 305, 345 and 443) are linked to Boulder+ Gym.

  • Five of the confirmed cases (Cases 144, 208, 214, 235 and 283) are linked to the Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah) near Upper Bukit Timah Road (2B Hindhede Road).

• Three of the confirmed cases (Cases 183, 252 and 310) are linked to Masjid Al-Muttaqin (5140 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6).

• Twenty-six of the confirmed cases are linked to a cluster at PCF Sparkletots Preschool @ Fengshan Blk 126 (126 Bedok North Street 2). Sixteen of the cases are staff at the preschool, and 10 are family members of Case 601.

• Eight of the confirmed cases (Cases 556, 618, 626, 662, 686, 713, 729 and 761) are linked to a cluster at Dover Court International School (301 Dover Road). Seven are employees at the school and Case 729 is a contact of Case 618.

• Five of the confirmed cases (Cases 581, 689, 724, 740 and 796) are linked to a cluster at SingPost Centre (10 Eunos Road 8).

• Three of the confirmed cases (Cases 745, 802 and 810) are linked to a cluster at The Wedding Brocade bridal shop (1 Yishun Industrial Street 1).

• Four of the confirmed cases (Cases 826, 829, 852 and 860) are linked to a new cluster at S11 Dormitory @ Punggol (2 Seletar North Link).

• Seven of the confirmed cases (Cases 439, 678, 793, 818, 848, 864 and 873) are linked to a new cluster at Wilby Residences at Bukit Timah (25 Wilby Road).

• Five of the confirmed cases (Cases 192, 556, 657, 670 and 813) are linked to a new cluster at Hero’s (69 Circular Road).

MOH said that contact tracing is underway for 79 locally transmitted cases to establish any links to previous cases or travel history to affected countries or regions.