Record 3,577 new COVID cases in Singapore; 3 unvaccinated deaths

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday (6 October) confirmed a record 3,577 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, bringing the country's total case count to 113,381, as well as three more deaths due to the disease.

Wednesday marks the second day in a row that Singapore reported over 3,000 new daily cases. It is also the 17th day in a row with fatalities from the virus reported.

Singapore's 131st through 133rd COVID-19 fatalities are Singaporean women aged between 68 and 102. A total of 32 people have succumbed to the disease here this month. All the women had been unvaccinated against COVID-19 and had various underlying medical conditions.

Of the new cases, 3,562 are local infections: 2,932 are in the community, while 630 are dormitory residents. Among the local cases are 664 people above the age of 60, said the MOH.

The remaining 15 cases are imported, of whom five were detected upon their arrival in Singapore, while 10 developed the illness during their stay-home notice or isolation period.

Eight active COVID-19 clusters in Singapore, including four dormitories, are being closely monitored. All four dormitory clusters have been classified as intra-dormitory transmissions among residents, with no evidence of spread beyond the premises.

Of the list of monitored clusters, the highest number of 29 new cases – all quarantined – was added to the cluster at ASPRI-Westlite Papan Dormitory. The cluster now has 196 cases.

Twenty-three new cases were added to the cluster at the MWS Christalite Methodist Home, now totalling 76 infections. All but three – all staff members – are residents.

Twenty-one new cases – all quarantined – were also added to the cluster at the 9 Defu South Street 1 dorm, now totalling 263 infections.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament on Monday while the government is ramping up healthcare capacity to handle up to 5,000 cases, it is already planning how to handle 10,000 infections.

Co-chair of the multi-ministry COVID-19 taskforce Lawrence Wong last Saturday said many people in Singapore will end up catching COVID-19, and there is no need to be fearful or embarrassed about it.

But the Finance Minister also said the current rise in COVID cases may not be "the last wave" in Singapore.

255 require oxygen supplementation; 37 in ICU

As of Wednesday, 1,520 cases are currently warded in hospital, most of whom are well and under observation.

There are currently 255 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation and 37 in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Of those who have fallen very ill, 239 are patients above the age of 60, said the MOH.

Apart from the 133 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.

Over the last 28 days, the percentage of local cases who were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms is 98.3 per cent. Over the same period, 591 cases required oxygen supplementation, 58 had been in the ICU, and 71 died.

As of Tuesday, about 9.34 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme. Some 4.6 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with some 4.53 million having completed the full vaccination regimen.

To date, about 600,000 eligible seniors have been invited to receive their booster doses – 341,427 of them have received their booster shots while another 99,000 have booked their appointments.

Separately, 205,430 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) have been administered as of Tuesday, covering 107,523 individuals.

This means that 83 per cent of the population have completed their full regimen, or received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 85 per cent have received at least one dose.

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