COVID-19: Singapore Reports 8th Death, 191 New Cases; Total at 2,299

Two 11-year-olds from the same family have tested positive for the virus since 9 April.

Singapore reported another COVID-19 infection-related death on Saturday (11 April), the eight such death here.

The patient, identified as Case 1142 is is a 90-year-old Singaporean male who was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 3 April. He was admitted to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) on the same day. The patient passed away from complications due to the virus.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the NCID has reached out to his family and is extending assistance to them.

Based on the summary of cases provided by the health agency on 4 April, Case 1142 was a local unlinked case.

National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Building. | Image source: Tan Tock Seng Hospital

191 New COVID-19 Infection cases; Total at 2,299

Another 191 new cases were recorded on Saturday evening, the MOH said in its daily updates.

Among the new cases, 52 are linked to known clusters, and 20 are linked to other cases. No imported cases were reported.

51 cases were linked to clusters at foreign worker dormitories and 21 were linked to non-dormitory clusters or other cases. Contact tracing is still pending for 119 cases.

Since the start of the outbreak in January, there are 426 local cases that are currently unlinked.

COVID-19 Infection In Children

An 11-year-old Singaporean male is among the new cases reported on Saturday. The patient, case 2130, is a local linked case who tested positive for COVID-19 on 10 April (Friday).

He is a family member of case 1937, an 11-year-old female and case 1949, a 38-year-old female. Both tested positive for the virus infection on 9 April and all three are currently admitted to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital handles the hospitalisation of children who test positive of COVID-19 infection. | Image source: Gov.sg

Another 35 Patients Discharged

Another 35 patients have also been discharged, and a total of 528 cases have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities.

Of the 943 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. 31 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

A total of 820 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19 are isolated and cared for at community facilities.

Enhanced Measures to Curb Spread of COVID-19

Earlier on Saturday, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said all commuters will soon be required to wear masks on public transport, even after the “circuit breaker” period, when crowds return to buses and trains.

“With ‘circuit breaker’ measures in place, trains and buses are not crowded and safe distancing is possible for public transport,” Mr Khaw said.

“But when crowds return to buses and trains, safe distancing rules will push waiting crowds onto the platforms and outside of stations, with long queues. I can imagine impatient, and even angry commuters. I think a practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport,” Mr Khaw added.

Separately, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said that from Sunday, those who do not wear a mask will be turned away at the 40 markets managed by the NEA or NEA-appointed operators.

In addition, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board said all customers visiting supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and shopping malls must wear masks or they will be denied entry beginning Sunday.