Connect with us

Current Affairs

Nine new cases of Covid-19; Five imported cases from various countries

Published

on

As of 12 March 2020, 12 pm, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed and verified nine more cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore. Of these:

  • Three (Cases 179, 185 and 186) are part of the cluster involving the private dinner function at SAFRA Jurong on 15 February;
  • Five are imported cases (Cases 180, 181, 182, 183 and 187); and
  • One (Case 184) is linked to a previous case (Case 172).

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 187 so far.

The World Health Organization had on 11 March 2020 declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, in view of the rising number of cases reported around the world. Singapore has been planning ahead, and we have been progressively putting in place a suite of measures in preparation for a possible escalation of the situation, both locally and globally.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that the situation in Singapore remains under control, and the authority is not changing the DORSCON level.

About the confirmed cases

Case 179

Case 179 is a 66-year-old female Singapore Citizen who had been in Malaysia on 22 February. She is currently warded in an isolation room at National University Hospital (NUH). She is a contact of Case 121 and is linked to the cluster involving the private dinner function at SAFRA Jurong.

More details

She reported onset of symptoms on 27 February and had sought treatment at a general practitioner (GP) clinic on 29 February, 9 March and 11 March. She was referred to NUH on 11 March, and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March afternoon.

Prior to hospital admission, she had mostly stayed at her home at Jurong West Street 73.

Case 180

Case 180 is an imported case involving a 71-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in the US from 27 February to 10 March. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

Case 181

Case 181 is an imported case involving an 83-year-old male Indonesian national who had arrived in Singapore on 9 March. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded at Gleneagles Hospital. He is a family member of Case 182.

Case 182

Case 182 is an imported case involving a 76-year-old female Indonesian national who arrived in Singapore on 9 March. She was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at Gleneagles Hospital. She is a family member of case 181.

Case 183

Case 183 is a 29-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in Malaysia from 29 February to 4 March. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He had attended a mass religious gathering at a mosque in Malaysia, and the Malaysian authorities had subsequently reported several confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the event.

Case 184

Case 184 is a 35-year-old male Filipino national who is a Singapore Work Pass holder and had been in the Philippines from 24 February to 1 March. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to Case 172.

Case 185

Case 185 is a 34-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in Malaysia from 22 February to 23 February. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to case 142.

Case 186

Case 186 is a 64-year-old male Singapore Citizen who has no recent travel history to affected countries and regions. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to Case 166.

Case 187

Case 187 is a 48-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in Malaysia from 28 February to 2 March. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 March morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He had attended a mass religious gathering at a mosque in Malaysia, and the Malaysian authorities had subsequently reported several confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the event.

Case 171 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 171 is an imported case involving a 27-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in France from 25 February to 1 March, and Spain from 1 March to 6 March. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID.

More details

He reported onset of symptoms on 9 March and had sought treatment at a GP clinic on 10 March. He was referred to the emergency department of NCID on 10 March, and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

Prior to hospital admission, he had mostly stayed at his home at Jalan Haji Salam.

Case 172 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 172 is a 42-year-old female Filipino national who is a Singapore Work Pass Holder and had been in the Philippines from 27 February to 2 March. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. She is a contact of Case 184.

More details

She reported onset of symptoms on 5 March and had sought treatment at a GP clinic on 9 March. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

Prior to hospital admission, she had gone to work at AXA Singapore (8 Shenton Way). She stays at Lorong 28 Geylang.

Case 173 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 173 is a 31-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in France from 15 February to 7 March. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is a contact of Cases 165, 169 and 175, and is one of the imported cases who had been in France on official duty.

More details

He reported onset of symptoms on 9 March and presented at the emergency department of NCID on 10 March. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

He is a Republic of Singapore Air Force serviceman but had not gone to work since returning to Singapore. He stays at Telok Blangah Street 31.

Case 174 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 174 is a 67-year-old female Singapore Citizen who has no recent travel history to affected countries and regions. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. She is a contact of Case 122 and is linked to the cluster involving the private dinner function at SAFRA Jurong.

More details

As she had been identified as a contact of Case 122, she was placed under quarantine on 6 March. She reported onset of symptoms on 7 March, and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

Prior to hospital admission, she had mostly stayed at her home at Gangsa Road.

Case 175 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 175 is a 44-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in France from 15 February to 7 March. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is a contact of Cases 165, 169 and 173, and is one of the imported cases who had been in France on official duty.

More details

He reported onset of symptoms on 10 March and was conveyed by ambulance to NCID on the same day. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

He is a Republic of Singapore Air Force serviceman but had not gone to work since returning to Singapore. He stays at Toh Tuck Road.

Case 176 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 176 is an imported case involving a 37-year-old female British national who works in Singapore and had been in Japan from 24 February to 4 March, and the UK from 4 March to 8 March. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID.

More details

She reported onset of symptoms on 7 March while in the UK and had sought treatment at Gleneagles Hospital on 10 March. She was conveyed by ambulance to NCID on the same day. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

She stays in the Dover Road area.

Case 177 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 177 is an imported case involving a 26-year-old male Singapore Citizen who had been in the US from 14 February to 24 February, the UK from 28 February to 1 March, and France from 2 March to 7 March. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID.

More details

He reported onset of symptoms on 9 March and had sought treatment at a GP clinic on 10 March. He was conveyed by ambulance to NCID and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

Prior to hospital admission, he had mostly stayed at his home at Telok Blangah Street 31.

Case 178 (Announced on 11 March)

Case 178 is an imported case involving a 37-year-old male Filipino national who is a Singapore Work Pass holder. He had been in the Philippines from 11 February to 19 February, and again from 23 February to 2 March to visit a relative with pneumonia who has since passed on. He is currently warded in an isolation room at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH). He is a family member of Case 167.

More details

He reported onset of symptoms on 8 March and had sought treatment at a GP clinic on 9 March. He presented at NTFGH on 10 March and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning.

Prior to hospital admission, he mostly stayed at his home at Jurong East Street 21.

Update on condition of confirmed cases

To date, a total of 96 cases have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from the hospital. Of the 91 confirmed cases who are still in the hospital, most are stable or improving. Nine are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Links between previous cases found

Further epidemiological investigations and contact tracing have uncovered links between previously announced and new cases.

a)            Eight of the locally transmitted confirmed cases (Cases 31, 33, 38, 83, 90, 91, 138 and 151), as well as Cases 8 and 9, are linked to The Life Church and Missions Singapore. These cases are linked to another 23 confirmed cases (Cases 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74, 78, 80, 81, 84, 88) who are linked to the Grace Assembly of God.

b)            Five of the confirmed cases (Cases 42, 47, 52, 56 and 69) are linked to the Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site.

c)            14 of the confirmed cases (Cases 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108 and 110) are linked to Wizlearn Technologies Pte Ltd.

d)            43 of the confirmed cases (Cases 94, 96, 107, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 137, 139, 140, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 164, 166, 174, 179, 185 and 186) are linked to a private dinner function at SAFRA Jurong on 15 February.

e)            Three of the confirmed cases (Cases 142, 162 and 163) are linked to boulder+ Gym (12 Kallang Avenue).

Investigations on these clusters are ongoing. In addition to the clusters, MOH’s investigations have identified the following links between cases:

  • Case 72 is linked to Cases 59 and 79;
  • Case 75 is linked to Case 41;
  • Case 86 is linked to Case 82;
  • Case 126 is linked to Case 109;
  • Case 143 is linked to Case 132;
  • Case 167 is linked to Case 178; and
  • Case 184 is linked to Case 172.

Contact tracing is underway for the other nine locally transmitted cases to establish any links to previous cases or travel history to affected countries or regions.

Update on contact tracing for confirmed cases

Contact tracing for the confirmed cases is ongoing. Once identified, MOH will closely monitor all close contacts. As a precautionary measure, they will be quarantined for 14 days from their last exposure to the patient. In addition, all other identified contacts who have a low risk of being infected will be under active surveillance, and will be contacted daily to monitor their health status.

As of 12 March 2020, 12pm, MOH has identified 4,550 close contacts who have been quarantined. Of these, 1,248 are currently quarantined, and 3,302 have completed their quarantine.

 

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Current Affairs

Chee Soon Juan questions Shanmugam’s $88 million property sale amid silence from Mainstream Media

Dr Chee Soon Juan of the SDP raised concerns about the S$88 million sale of Mr K Shanmugam’s Good Class Bungalow at Astrid Hill, questioning transparency and the lack of mainstream media coverage. He called for clarity on the buyer, valuation, and potential conflicts of interest.

Published

on

On Sunday (22 Sep), Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), issued a public statement on Facebook, expressing concerns regarding the sale of Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam’s Good Class Bungalow (GCB) at Astrid Hill.

Dr Chee questioned the transparency of the S$88 million transaction and the absence of mainstream media coverage despite widespread discussion online.

According to multiple reports cited by Dr Chee, Mr Shanmugam’s property was transferred in August 2023 to UBS Trustees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, which holds the property in trust under the Jasmine Villa Settlement.

Dr Chee’s statement focused on two primary concerns: the lack of response from Mr Shanmugam regarding the transaction and the silence of major media outlets, including Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp.

He argued that, given the ongoing public discourse and the relevance of property prices in Singapore, the sale of a high-value asset by a public official warranted further scrutiny.

In his Facebook post, Dr Chee posed several questions directed at Mr Shanmugam and the government:

  1. Who purchased the property, and is the buyer a Singaporean citizen?
  2. Who owns Jasmine Villa Settlement?
  3. Were former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and current Prime Minister Lawrence Wong informed of the transaction, and what were their responses?
  4. How was it ensured that the funds were not linked to money laundering?
  5. How was the property’s valuation determined, and by whom?

The Astrid Hill property, originally purchased by Mr Shanmugam in 2003 for S$7.95 million, saw a significant increase in value, aligning with the high-end status of District 10, where it is located. The 3,170.7 square-meter property was sold for S$88 million in August 2023.

Dr Chee highlighted that, despite Mr Shanmugam’s detailed responses regarding the Ridout Road property, no such transparency had been offered in relation to the Astrid Hill sale.

He argued that the lack of mainstream media coverage was particularly concerning, as public interest in the sale is high. Dr Chee emphasized that property prices and housing affordability are critical issues in Singapore, and transparency from public officials is essential to maintain trust.

Dr Chee emphasized that the Ministerial Code of Conduct unambiguously states: “A Minister must scrupulously avoid any actual or apparent conflict of interest between his office and his private financial interests.”

He concluded his statement by reiterating the need for Mr Shanmugam to address the questions raised, as the matter involves not only the Minister himself but also the integrity of the government and its responsibility to the public.

The supposed sale of Mr Shamugam’s Astrid Hill property took place just a month after Mr Shanmugam spoke in Parliament over his rental of a state-owned bungalow at Ridout Road via a ministerial statement addressing potential conflicts of interest.

At that time, Mr Shanmugam explained that his decision to sell his home was due to concerns about over-investment in a single asset, noting that his financial planning prompted him to sell the property and move into rental accommodation.

The Ridout Road saga last year centred on concerns about Mr Shanmugam’s rental of a sprawling black-and-white colonial bungalow, occupying a massive plot of land, managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which he oversees in his capacity as Minister for Law. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, also rented a similarly expansive property nearby.

Mr Shanmugam is said to have recused himself from the decision-making process, and a subsequent investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) found no wrongdoing while Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean confirmed in Parliament that Mr Shanmugam had removed himself from any decisions involving the property.

As of now, Mr Shanmugam has not commented publicly on the sale of his Astrid Hill property.

Continue Reading

Comments

Redditors question support for PAP over perceived arrogance and authoritarian attitude

Despite Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s warning that slimmer electoral margins would limit the government’s political space “to do the right things”, many Redditors questioned their support for the ruling PAP, criticising its perceived arrogance. They argued that SM Lee’s remarks show the party has ‘lost its ways’ and acts as if it alone can determine what is right. Others noted that the PAP’s supermajority allows for the passage of unfavourable policies without adequate scrutiny.

Published

on

In a recent speech, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that “if electoral margins get slimmer, the government will have less political space to do the right things.”

Mr Lee, who served as Prime Minister for 20 years, highlighted the risks associated with increasingly competitive politics.

“It will become harder to disregard short-term considerations in decision-making. The political dynamics will become very different,” he stated during his speech at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony 2024 on 17 September.

“Singaporeans must understand the dangers this creates, and so must the public service,” SM Lee stressed.

SM Lee pointed out that Singapore faces formidable internal and external challenges in the years ahead, with rising expectations and demands from citizens.

As growth becomes harder to achieve and politics becomes more fiercely contested, he warned, “Things can go wrong for Singapore too.”

He urged vigilance in preparing for an uncertain future, noting, “As the world changes, and as the generations change, we must do our best to renew our system – to ensure that it continues to work well for us, even as things change.”

Critique of PAP’s Arrogance and Disconnect from Singaporeans

The People’s Action Party (PAP) experienced a notable decline in its vote share during the 2020 General Election, securing 61.24% of the votes and winning 83 out of 93 seats, a drop from 69.9% in 2015.

A significant loss was in Sengkang GRC, where the PAP team, led by former Minister Ng Chee Meng, was defeated by the Workers’ Party (WP).

In discussions on Reddit, some users questioned why they should support the ruling PAP, criticising the party’s perceived arrogance.

They pointed out that SM Lee’s recent remarks illustrate that the party has strayed from effectively serving Singaporeans and seems to believe it has the sole authority to decide what is right.

Others highlighted that the PAP’s super-majority in Parliament enables the passage of unfavourable policies without sufficient scrutiny.

One comment acknowledged that while many older Singaporeans remain loyal to the PAP due to its past achievements, younger generations feel the party has failed to deliver similar results.

There is significant frustration that essentials like housing and the cost of living have become less affordable compared to previous generations.

The comment emphasised the importance of the 2011 election results, which they believe compelled the PAP to reassess its policies, especially concerning foreign labor and job security.

He suggested that to retain voter support, the PAP must continue to ensure a good material standard of living.

“Then, I ask you, vote PAP for what? They deserve to lose a supermajority. Or else why would they continue to deliver the same promises they delivered to our parents? What else would get a bunch of clueless bureaucrats to recognise their problems?”

Emphasising Government Accountability to the Public

Another Redditor argued that it is the government’s responsibility to be accountable to the people.

He further challenged SM Lee’s assertion about having less political space to do the right things, questioning his authority to define what is “right” for Singapore.

The comment criticised initiatives like the Founder’s Memorial and the NS Square, suggesting they may serve to boost the egos of a few rather than benefit the broader population. The Redditor also questioned the justification for GST hikes amid rising living costs.

“Policies should always be enacted to the benefit of the people, and it should always be the people who decide what is the best course of action for our country. No one should decide that other than us.”

The comment called for an end to narratives that present the PAP as the only party capable of rescuing Singapore from crises, stating that the country has moved past the existential challenges of its founding era and that innovative ideas can come from beyond a single political party.

Another comment echoed this sentiment, noting that by stating this, SM Lee seemingly expects Singaporeans to accept the PAP’s assumption that they—and by extension, the government and public service—will generally do the “right things.”

“What is conveniently overlooked is that the point of having elections is to have us examine for ourselves if we accept that very premise, and vote accordingly.”

A comment further argued that simply losing a supermajority does not equate to a lack of political space for the government to make the right decisions.

The Redditor express frustration with SM Lee’s rhetoric, suggesting that he is manipulating public perception to justify arbitrary changes to the constitution.

Concerns Over PAP’s Supermajority in Parliament

Another comment pointed out that the PAP’s supermajority in Parliament enables the passage of questionable and controversial policies, bypassing robust debate and discussion.

The comment highlighted the contentious constitutional amendments made in late 2016, which reserved the elected presidency for candidates from a specific racial group if no president from that group had served in the previous five terms.

A comment highlighted the contrast: in the past, the PAP enjoyed a wide electoral margin because citizens believed they governed effectively. Now, the PAP claims that without a substantial electoral margin, they cannot govern well.

Continue Reading

Trending