Advertisement

3,994 new COVID cases in Singapore, 7 more deaths

People wearing protective mask wait in queue to take their COVID-19 antigen rapid test outside a quick test centre on October 16, 2021 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
People wearing protective masks wait in queue to take their COVID-19 antigen rapid test outside a test centre on 16 October, 2021 in Singapore. (PHOTO: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (19 October) confirmed 3,994 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore – bringing the country's total case count to 154,725 – as well as seven more deaths due to the disease.

Describing Tuesday's reported infections as a "usual post-weekend surge", the MOH noted that it will still have to closely monitor cases for the next few days, to determine if it is a temporary spike or a further surge in cases.

"Nevertheless, over the past week, we have observed a rise in activity levels, including a higher number of visitors across all malls, larger crowds in the Orchard Road area, as well as a slight increase in public transport ridership," it added.

Tuesday also marks the 30th day in a row with fatalities from COVID-19 reported in Singapore, with a total of 145 people here having succumbed to it thus far this month.

The 240th to 246th COVID-19 deaths in Singapore are all Singaporeans: five men and two women aged between 57 and 90.

Among them, three had been unvaccinated against COVID-19, one had been partially vaccinated and three had been fully vaccinated. Six of them had various underlying medical conditions, while an unvaccinated case had no known medical conditions.

Of the 3,994 new cases, 3,981 are local infections: 3,480 are in the community and 501 reside in the migrant worker dormitories. The remaining 13 are imported.

Among the local cases are 567 people aged above 60, said the MOH. The ministry noted that the number of unvaccinated people aged above 60 and who have been infected has risen over the past few days, to well over 100 a day.

"We strongly encourage everyone, especially the elderly and persons with comorbidities who are more vulnerable to severe illnesses, to limit your social activities and go out only for essential activities," added the MOH.

Most clusters being closely monitored at nursing homes

Five active COVID-19 clusters, at four nursing homes and one welfare home, are being closely monitored in Singapore.

Four new cases were each added to clusters at the United Medicare Centre's Toa Payoh branch and the MWS Christalite Methodist Home, bringing the total to 132 and 114 infections, respectively.

Of the cases at the United Medicare Centre branch, 113 are residents, 18 are staff members and one is a household contact.

Of those at the MWS Christalite Methodist Home, 98 are residents, 15 are staff members and one is a household contact.

Two new cases were added to the cluster at the St. Andrew's Nursing Home's Taman Jurong branch, now totalling 18 infections. Of them, all but three – all staff members – are residents.

One new case was each added to clusters at the ECON Medicare Centre & Nursing Home at 10 Buangkok View Block 5 and Bukit Batok Home for the Aged, bringing the total to 64 and 53 infections, respectively.

Of the cases at the nursing home, all but three – all staff members – are residents. Of the cases at the welfare home, all but one – a staff member – are residents.

'Significant strain': 338 require oxygen supplementation; 71 in ICU

As of Tuesday, 1,738 cases – or 7.6 per cent – are currently warded in hospital, most of whom are well and under observation. A total of 16,377 cases – or 71.9 per cent – are undergoing home recovery, while 3,812 cases are in community care facilities, and 851 are in COVID-19 treatment facilities.

There are currently 338 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation and 71 in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).

"The number of persons requiring ICU care continues to rise, and this has put our hospitals under significant pressure and strain," said the MOH.

Apart from the 246 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, of the 74,641 infected cases, 98.6 per cent had no or mild symptoms, 1.0 per cent required oxygen supplementation, 0.1 per cent required ICU care, and 0.2 per cent has died.

Among those who required oxygen supplementation and ICU over the last 28 days, 48.6 per cent were fully vaccinated and 51.4 per cent were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Among those who have died over the same period, 27.1 per cent were fully vaccinated and 72.9 per cent were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

As of Monday, about 9.66 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme. Some 4.62 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with some 4.56 million having completed the full vaccination regimen.

To date, about 850,000 eligible individuals have been invited to receive their booster doses – 604,552 of them have received their booster shots while another 96,000 have booked their appointments.

Separately, 227,800 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) have been administered as of Monday, covering 118,598 individuals.

This means that 84 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.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore