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Indian worker who died after being found at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital staircase landing had tested positive for COVID-19

Logo of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
Logo of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

SINGAPORE — A 46-year-old Indian migrant worker who died after being found at a staircase landing in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) on Thursday (23 April) had tested positive for COVID-19 prior to his death, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Police said they responded to a case of unnatural death at KTPH at 7.29am and the man was found motionless at the staircase landing. He later died of his injuries.

“Based on preliminary investigations, the Police do not suspect foul play,” said the police in a statement, adding that investigations into the case are ongoing.

No complaints against employer: MOM

Separately, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a media release that the worker’s family members, employer as well as the Indian High Commission in Singapore have been informed of the death.

The ministry said the deceased was a construction worker who had worked in Singapore since 2009. MOM noted that he had worked for the same employer and that background checks showed that he had not made any complaints against the employer.

The worker lived in a factory-converted dormitory operated by the employer that housed nine workers, including the deceased – fewer than the approved capacity for such facilities. MOM said the dormitory was last inspected on 12 April and had been “found to be in an acceptable condition, including cleanliness and ventilation”.

MOM also said that Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam and Minister of Manpower Josephine Teo had met the deceased’s colleagues at their dormitory earlier on Thursday.

“The workers were sad but calm. They reported that they have been well taken care of by the employer. They also requested that the nephew of the deceased worker, who is employed by the same company, be allowed to pay his last respects,” said MOM, adding that it is working with the MOH to facilitate the request.

MOM is also working with the Hindu Endowments Board to carry out funeral arrangements for the deceased and with the Migrant Workers’ Centre to provide support to his family.

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