3 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 2 unlinked
Pedestrians crossing the street in Singapore. (Photo: Calvin Oh)
SINGAPORE: Singapore reported three new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections as of noon on Thursday (Jul 8), including two with no links to previous cases.
The sole infection linked to previous cases was detected through surveillance, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
There were also 13 imported cases who were all placed on stay-home notice or isolated upon arrival. Twelve were detected upon arrival in Singapore, while one developed the illness during the isolation period.
In total, Singapore reported 16 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
CHANGI PRISON COMPLEX CLUSTER CLOSED
The COVID-19 cluster at Changi Prison Complex has been closed as there have been no more cases linked to it for the past two incubation periods or 28 days, said MOH.
There are now 22 active COVID-19 clusters, ranging between three and 94 infections. The 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre cluster remains the largest with 94 cases.
The new cluster that was announced on Wednesday, linked to Case 64599, has grown from four to five cases.
MOH said the number of new cases in the community has decreased from 58 cases in the week before to 23 cases in the past week.
The number of unlinked cases in the community has increased from eight cases in the week before to nine cases in the past week.
A total of 84 cases are in hospital. Most are well and under observation, said MOH.
There are 10 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and two in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
The Health Ministry said there is continuing evidence that vaccination helps to prevent serious disease when one gets infected.
"Over the last 28 days, 23 local cases required oxygen supplementation, were admitted to ICU or passed away. Twenty are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and none was fully vaccinated," it added.
EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Singapore will ease its COVID-19 restrictions from next Monday amid a decline in community infections.
Dining out will be allowed for groups of up to five, indoor mask-off sports and exercise can resume and wedding receptions can be held with no more than 250 people if pre-event testing is in place.
Social gatherings at the workplace can also resume, although working from home should remain as the default arrangement, said the Health Ministry on Wednesday.
READ: Groups of five can dine out from Jul 12; work-from-home remains the default
READ: People fully vaccinated under national programme may be able to gather in groups of 8 from end-July
MOH also said it is considering allowing people who have been fully vaccinated to gather in groups of up to eight.
This and other differentiated measures for those who are fully vaccinated may come into place when 50 per cent of Singapore's population is fully vaccinated – which is expected to happen around end-July.
As of Thursday, Singapore has reported a total of 62,668 COVID-19 cases and 36 fatalities from the disease.
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
