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Record-high 1,504 new COVID cases in Singapore; 2 unvaccinated deaths

Commuters leave a train station during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore, September 23, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su
Commuters leave a train station during the coronavirus disease outbreak in Singapore on 23 September, 2021. (PHOTO: Reuters)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday (23 September) confirmed a record-high of 1,504 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore – taking the country's total case count to 82,860 – and two more deaths due to the disease.

Thursday's count marks the highest ever daily new COVID-19 cases reported in the city-state, followed by 1,457 new infections a day before.

Singapore's 69th and 70th COVID-19 fatalities are two Singaporean women, aged 93 and 71, who died on Thursday. Both women, who were unvaccinated against the virus, are among 15 people who have died from the disease here this month.

The older woman tested positive for COVID-19 on 17 September. She had a history of heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and high cholesterol, said the MOH.

The younger woman tested positive on Thursday and had a history of cancer.

Of Thursday's 1,504 new cases, 1,491 are local infections: 1,218 are in the community, while 273 are dormitory residents. Among the local cases are 343 people above the age of 60, said the MOH.

The remaining 13 cases are imported, of whom nine were detected upon their arrival in Singapore, while four developed the illness during their stay-home notice or isolation period.

Thirteen active COVID-19 clusters in Singapore, including seven dorms, a preschool and Pfizer Asia Pacific, are being closely monitored, said the MOH.

Of the list of monitored clusters, the highest number of 17 new cases – already quarantined – was added to the cluster at Pfizer Asia Pacific. The cluster now has 55 cases – 52 staff members and three household contacts – and is classified as a "workplace transmission".

Eleven new cases – all quarantined – were added to the cluster at the Blue Stars dorm, totalling 170 infections. Eight others – also quarantined – were added to the cluster at 11 Tuas Avenue 10 dorm, totalling 38 cases. Both are classified as intra-dormitory transmissions amongst residents.

Three new cases were also added to a cluster at Maple Bear Preschool in Orchard Road. Of the 12 cases, eight are students, three are staff, and one is a household contact.

Daily new cases in Singapore are expected to rise to 2,000 by early October, if the current rate of infection persists, authorities here have said.

163 require oxygen supplementation; 23 in ICU

As of Thursday, 1,120 cases are currently warded, most of whom are well and under observation.

There are currently 163 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation and 23 in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Of those who have fallen very ill, 155 are patients above the age of 60, said the MOH.

Apart from the 70 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 97.9 per cent. Over the same period, 289 cases required oxygen supplementation, 29 had been in the ICU, and 13 died.

As of Wednesday, about 9.01 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme. Some 4.58 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with some 4.46 million having completed the full vaccination regimen.

Separately, 187,529 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) have been administered as of Wednesday, covering 87,257 individuals.

This means that 82 per cent of the population have completed their full regimen, or received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 84 per cent have received at least one dose.

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