1 dormitory resident among 20 new COVID-19 infections in Singapore; first such case in 6 weeks

SINGAPORE: One dormitory resident was among the 20 new COVID-19 infections reported in Singapore on Sunday (Apr 11).

This is the first such case since Feb 28. 

No new infections were reported in the community.

The remaining 19 cases were imported infections and were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update.

Identified as Case 61822, the dormitory resident is a 23-year-old work permit holder from India. He is employed by Seafront Support Company as a lashing specialist and resides in a dormitory located at Brani Terminal Avenue.

The man is asymptomatic, said MOH, adding that he was detected after being tested on Apr 7 as part of rostered routine resting. 

An individual test was done on Apr 9, and his infection was confirmed on Apr 10. He was then taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

His serology test result came back positive, but MOH has assessed that this is likely a current infection.

MOH said that the man has received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine almost two months ago, which accounts for his lack of symptoms and positive serology test.

READ: Migrant worker who tested positive for COVID-19 completed vaccination

"This case is a reminder that it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected," MOH said. "But the vaccine is effective in preventing symptomatic disease for the vast majority of those vaccinated."

"Further research is required to determine if the vaccination will also prevent onward transmission of the infection. That is why we cannot afford to let our guard down," the ministry added.

Epidemiological investigations are in progress. All the identified close contacts of the man, including his dormitory and workplace contacts, have been isolated and placed on quarantine, and will be tested at the start and end of their quarantine period so that asymptomatic cases can be detected.

MOH will also conduct serological tests for the close contacts to determine if the case could have been infected by them.

The Singapore Flyer and Time Capsule was added to the list of places visited by COVID-19 cases during their infectious period.

IMPORTED CASES

The remaining 19 cases were imported infections and were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.

One case is a Singaporean who returned from Indonesia, while five are permanent residents who returned from India.

Two cases are dependent's pass holders who arrived from India, while one is a short-term visit pass holder who also arrived from India for studies in Singapore.

The remaining 10 imported cases are work permit holders who arrived from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines, including four who are foreign domestic workers.

THIRTEEN CASES DISCHARGED

Thirteen more cases have been discharged, bringing the total who have fully recovered from the infection to 60,335.

There are 58 cases remaining in hospital, with one in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Another 230 cases are isolated and cared for at community facilities.

Overall, the number of new cases in the community has remained stable at two cases per week in the past two weeks.

The number of unlinked cases in the community has also remained stable at two cases per week in the past two weeks.

Of the 175 confirmed cases reported between Apr 5 and Apr 11, 68 tested positivefor their serology tests and 74 tested negative while another 33 test results are pending. 

As of Sunday, Singapore has reported a total of 60,653 COVID-19 cases and 30 fatalities.

LUCKY PLAZA, PENINSULA PLAZA WEEKEND RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

Weekend entry restrictions at Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza were lifted on Saturday, more than seven months after they were put in place as part of COVID-19 measures.

Visitors are still strongly advised to not rush to these malls immediately or visit during peak hours, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) said on Friday.

READ: Weekend entry restrictions at Lucky Plaza, Peninsula Plaza to be lifted after 'crowding situation' improves

“To avoid a longer waiting time to enter the malls, patrons should plan their visits during weekdays or non-peak periods on weekends," they added. 

Odd-even entry restrictions based on the last digit of the identification number for each visitor have been in place at the malls since Aug 29 last year.

“Improvements in the crowding situation” have been observed at the two malls, said STB and ESG.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram