Singapore reports record 3,486 new COVID-19 cases; 9 more deaths

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported a record 3,486 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Oct 5) and nine more deaths from complications due to the coronavirus.

The latest fatalities involved six men and three women, aged between 64 and 90. Three of them were unvaccinated against COVID-19, while two were partially vaccinated and four had been vaccinated. All of them had various underlying medical conditions.

This takes Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 130.

Of the new cases, 3,480 are locally transmitted infections, comprising 2,767 cases in the community and 713 dormitory residents.

Six are imported cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its daily update released to the media at about 11pm.

The previous record in daily cases was on Oct 1 when there were 2,909 infections.

As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported a total of 109,804 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. 

HOSPITALISATIONS

There are 1,512 patients warded in hospital, most of whom are well and under observation, said MOH.

A total of 247 cases require oxygen supplementation, and 34 patients are in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). Of those who have fallen very ill, 235 are above the age of 60.

Over the last 28 days, 570 cases required oxygen supplementation and 56 had been in the ICU. Of these, 50.3 per cent were fully vaccinated and 49.7 per cent were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

ACTIVE CLUSTERS

MOH said it is “closely monitoring” five active clusters, including United Medicare Centre at Toa Payoh. The nursing home is a new addition to the list.

Transmission at the centre occurred between eight staff and six residents, putting the cluster at 14 cases currently.

The COVID-19 cluster at Learning Vision @ Changi Airport grew to 13 on Tuesday, adding one case.

Three dormitories are in the list of clusters: ASPRI-Westlite Papan Dormitory, Tampines Dormitory and Jurong Penjuru Dormitory 2.

VISITS TO RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES SUSPENDED FURTHER

Visits to residential care homes will be suspended for another two weeks until Oct 24, the Health Ministry announced earlier on Tuesday. 

This is after several new COVID-19 clusters were detected in aged care facilities in the past two weeks.

"The extension will also provide more time for our seniors in the homes to get vaccinated or receive their booster shots," said MOH.

The residential care homes will continue to offer caregivers and family members the option of telephone or video calls as an alternative to physical visits.