Singapore continues to report an uptick in COVID cases, as 41 more people were found to be infected with the virus on Thursday (20 May). This also includes 27 community infections and one new death, according to a CNA report.
As COVID cases rise in the city-state, parents are concerned looking at the increase in kids getting infected with the new variant of coronavirus.
COVID Cases Rise in Singapore: 6 More Students Get Infected
On Thursday, six new cases were reported. This has taken the total toll to 37 students –from 25 schools–who have been infected with Covid-19 in the past month.
This includes 15 cases linked to a cluster at the Learning Point tuition centre and another 11 to one at Changi Airport Terminal 3. There are now 28 cases linked to the Learning Point cluster.
The affected schools now include pre-schools, primary, secondary schools, a madrasah, junior college and several institutes of higher learning.
New Death Due To COVID Complication
A 70-year-old Singaporean man, died from complications due to COVID-19 infection on Thursday. He was linked to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) cluster. MOH informed the man had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and had a history of lung cancer and atrial fibrillation.
This is thus the second coronavirus death reported in May, taking Singapore's death toll to 32 as of Thursday.
COVID Cases Rise in Singapore: Community cases Grow
MOH informed 21 new community infections reported on Thursday are linked to previous cases, while six are currently unlinked.
Six of the community cases involve students. Sharing further details, MOH said two are from Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah and the rest are from Singapore Polytechnic, Skool4kidz Centre, Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) and Yuan Ching Secondary School.
Singapore Polytechnic Student in the Unlinked cases
Among the six unlinked community cases reported on Thursday, a 19-year-old Malaysian who is a student at Singapore Polytechnic and was found to be infected.
The girl had last attended school on May 15. She developed fever on May 19 and was found positive after she underwent her antigen rapid test (ART) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the same day.
Keeping in mind the covid cases rise, Singapore Polytechnic said in a statement on Thursday night that it will expand its current COVID-19 testing exercise to include all staff members and students from the School of Chemical & Life Sciences.
The institute began testing 6,500 students and staff members for COVID-19 on May 19, after three positive cases were reported.
Among the other cases who were fully vaccinated are:
- 59-year-old Singaporean who works at Mary Fashion and Trading in Ang Mo Kio
- 41-year-old Singaporean who works as a customer service personnel at Times Bookstore
- 49-year-old permanent resident homemaker identified
All of them had developed COVID symptoms such as fever, body aches, runny nose as well as loss of taste and smell before testing positive for coronavirus.
Changi Airport Cluster Also Has Grown
Four more cases have been linked to the cluster at Changi Airport.
Here are the details:
- Two Singaporeans, aged eight and 14, who are students at Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah. Both of them are household contacts of several previously confirmed cases.
- A 63-year-old Singaporean who is employed by Certis Cisco as an aviation security officer at Changi Airport Terminal 3.
- Plus, a 43-year-old Singaporean who works at Glory Ship Management. He as well as the aviation officer are fully vaccinated.
The Changi Airport cluster now has 100 cases linked to it.
Mandatory Coronavirus Tests For Residents At Hougang HDB Block
MOH informed that it has found that "a few COVID-19 cases" reside at 506 Hougang Avenue 8. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, the health ministry will be conducting mandatory coronavirus tests for all the residents of the block.
The tests will take place at the void deck of the block on May 21 and 22. People have been informed about the same via leaflets and SMS alerts.
As covid cases rise, the situation continues to remain extremely concerning. MOH informed that the number of new cases in the community has jumped from 71 cases in the week before to 190 cases in the past week. Similarly, the unlinked cases have also increased from 11 cases in the week before to 52 cases in the past week.
While a rise in new cases is concerning, what is most stressful for parents is the susceptibility of kids to the new variant of the highly transmissible virus.
Keeping this in mind, Singapore authorities shifted schools to home-based learning. The government also introduced strict measures to keep the safety of its citizen in mind. So, it is not the time to put our guards down and take the COVID guidelines lightly.
Just as a reminder, here are some safety tips you and your must follow to continue to be safe sane healthy.
Tips To Remain Safe Amid Rise In COVID Cases
Wear masks: Singapore updated its guidance on the use of masks on Tuesday on the back of rising coronavirus infections in the community.
MOH asked people to use masks with better protection. Therefore, see to it that your masks have better filtration efficiency, to mitigate the risk of infection. You can use surgical masks and reusable masks that are made of at least two layers of fabric for better protection.
Wash hands: In order to keep your hands clean, you should always wash them with soap and water when at homes. When you step out, don't forget to carry a sanitiser. Also, don't touch your face or nose when you are out.
Avoid crowds: The government in order to reduce the intermingling of people is promoting work from home along with other strict measures. Therefore, don't step out of your homes unless absolutely necessary. When you are in a public place, remember to stand far from each other to reduce the transfer of the infection.
Be responsible, stay safe and don't believe in rumours!
News source: CNA
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