163 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Singapore, 136 linked to Jurong Fishery Port and KTV clusters

There were also nine imported cases, who were all placed on stay-home notice or isolated upon arrival.

Four of these cases were detected upon arrival in Singapore, while five developed the illness during their stay-home notice or isolation period.

In total, Singapore reported 172 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

This is the highest total number of new COVID-19 cases recorded since Aug 10, 2020 when 188 new infections were identified.

LIKELY ONGOING TRANSMISSION AT 2 MORE KTVs

MOH said it is investigating cases of COVID-19 infection among social hostesses who had frequented KTV lounges or clubs currently operating as food and beverage (F&B) outlets, and their close social contacts. 

Epidemiological investigations have found that there is likely ongoing transmission at Dynasty Classic KTV (1 Sophia Road) and True Love (211 Geylang Road).

All visitors to the affected premises are advised to monitor their health closely, and minimise social interactions as far as possible, said the health ministry. 

ART TEST KITS FOR VISITORS OF SELECTED MARKETS, FOOD CENTRES

As part of its investigations into cases of COVID-19 infection involving markets and food centres, MOH said it is working with the People's Association (PA) to distribute antigen rapid test (ART) self-test kits to individuals who had visited selected markets and food centres in the last 14 days, such as residents living in the vicinity of these centres. 

The collection will run from Jul 20 to Jul 21 at Residents’ Committee Centres in the vicinity of the following locations:

- Cheng San Market & Cooked Food Centre (527 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10)

- Chong Boon Market & Food Centre (453A Ang Mo Kio Ave 10)

- Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre (1 Geylang Serai)

- Haig Road Market & Food Centre (14 Haig Rd)

Those eligible for the test kits are "strongly encouraged" to collect them and perform self-testing. These individuals can check online for their nearest  Residents’ Committee Centre for self-collection.

MOH said these cases of COVID-19 infection are "likely seeded" by fishmongers who visited Jurong Fishery Port to collect their stock and sell at the markets and food centres.

There are currently clusters detected at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre and Chong Boon Market & Food Centre. 

MOH has also detected cases among fishmongers working at the following markets:

- Albert Centre Market & Food Centre

- Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Centre

- 630 Bedok Reservoir Road Market & Food Centre

- 497 Jurong West Street 41 Market

- 505 Jurong West Street 52 Market

- Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre

- Mayflower Wet Market & Food Centre

- Teck Ghee Market & Food Centre

- 146 Teck Whye Avenue Market

- Tekka Centre

121 BUKIT MERAH VIEW CLUSTER CLOSED

There are currently 28 active clusters in Singapore, ranging between three and 193 infections.

As there have been no more cases linked to the 121 Bukit Merah View cluster for the past two incubation, the cluster has now been closed. 

MOH said the overall number of new cases in the community has increased from 19 cases in the week before to 480 cases in the past week.

“We are likely to see rising cases in the coming days as we step up efforts to detect them to contain their spread in the community. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also increased from eight cases in the week before to 45 cases in the past week,” it added.

There are currently 289 cases are currently warded in hospital, with most well and under observation.

There are five cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and one in critical condition in the intensive care unit. None among these six cases is fully vaccinated, said MOH.

MOH said there is continuing evidence that vaccination helps to prevent serious disease when one gets infected.

Over the last 28 days, 12 local cases required oxygen supplementation, were admitted to ICU or passed away. Eight are unvaccinated, four are partially vaccinated and none was fully vaccinated, it added.​​​

READ: KTV and Jurong Fishery Port COVID-19 clusters are 'linked': Ong Ye Kung

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday that the clusters in KTV lounges and Jurong Fishery Port were "linked", and involved a Delta virus variant that differed from infections found in other local clusters.

The cluster in KTV lounges was "settling down" with more than 5,000 employees, hostesses and patrons tested, and the number testing positive trending down day by day, said Mr Ong in a Facebook post.

"But the Jurong Fishery Port cluster is rising worryingly, because it is seeding cases in various markets, and the communities around them," he said.

In a separate update, MOH said that it concluded COVID-19 testing for residents, visitors and people who interacted with residents of 639 Rowell Road on Sunday, with all 456 individuals testing negative.

READ: Unvaccinated seniors urged to stay home 'as much as possible' to reduce COVID-19 risk - MOH

READ: Timeline - From KTV lounges switching to F&B outlets, to a spike in local COVID-19 cases

TIGHTER MEASURES KICK IN, UNVACCINATED ELDERLY URGED TO STAY HOME

From Monday, up to two people can dine-in together at hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops under tightened measures in effect until Aug 8.

At other food and beverage outlets, groups of up to five people can dine in together if all are vaccinated. For unvaccinated people, the group size limit is reduced to two.

READ: Some F&B chains go back to 2-person dine-in limit, regardless of vaccination status

MOH on Sunday urged people who have not been vaccinated, especially the elderly, to "stay home as much as possible" over the next few weeks and avoid going out for non-essential reasons.

The ministry also urged vaccinated people who had unvaccinated seniors at home to avoid crowds or "extensive social interactions" to minimise the risk of bringing COVID-19 home.

MOH said it was "particularly concerned" that the elderly may be infected at wet markets, where COVID-19 clusters have been detected in recent days.

READ: Fresh fish and seafood stalls ordered to stop operating; stallholders to undergo COVID-19 test

Infection clusters have emerged among fishmongers who visited the Jurong Fishery Port to collect stocks and sell at the markets.

Fresh fish and seafood stallholders at markets managed by the National Environment Agency or its appointed operators were on Sunday ordered to stop operations. They were also ordered to undergo a COVID-19 test and self-isolate at home until they tested negative.

As of Monday, Singapore has reported a total of 63,245 COVID-19 cases.

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