As of Saturday noon (11 Sep), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed an additional 555 cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore.
This brings the total number of infection cases to 71,167.
There are 550 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection.
In addition, there are five new imported cases, who have already been placed on Stay-Home Notice (SHN) or isolated upon arrival in Singapore. All five developed the illness during SHN or isolation.
No info has been provided on the linked and/or unlinked cases.
Condition of confirmed cases & progress of national vaccination programme
According to MOH, 708 cases are currently warded in hospital.
There are currently 35 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and 7 in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Of those who have fallen very ill, 33 are seniors above 60 years.
Over the last 28 days, the percentage of unvaccinated who became severely ill or died is 4.6%, while that for the fully vaccinated is 0.8%, said MOH.
“As of 10 September 2021, 81% of our population has completed their full regimen/ received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 84% has received at least one dose. ” the Ministry added.
Two large clusters identified
Two large clusters were identified, including Chinatown Complex with 44 new cases. There are a total of 66 infections linked to the cluster, comprising 58 stallholders and assistants, four cleaners, one safe distancing ambassador and three household contacts of workers.
The other large cluster is PCF Sparkletots Braddell Heights, located at 335 Serangoon Avenue 3. There are three new cases and a total of 22 infections linked to the cluster.
MOH remarked that transmission was amongst students in the same class, with further spread to household contact of cases.
Chinatown Complex will be closed to the public from 12 Sep until the end of 15 Sep to break any potential chain of transmission and enable deep cleaning, said MOH.
All staff working at Chinatown Complex will be tested for COVID-19.
Those who have logged in with SafeEntry to Chinatown Complex from 8 Sep to 11 Sep will be issued health risk alerts (HRAs). These people are strongly encouraged to go for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as possible and to reduce their social interactions for 14 days, said the Health Ministry.
Free COVID-19 testing will also be extended to members of the public who had visited Chinatown Complex from 8 Sep to 11 Sep, but who did not receive a health risk alert.
Those who visited Chinatown Complex between 8 Sep to 11 Sep are advised to monitor their health closely, and minimise social interactions as far as possible, for 14 days from their date of visit. They are encouraged to see a doctor immediately if they feel unwell.
MOH will no longer provide details linked, unlinked cases in its daily COVID-19 report
MOH stated in its daily press release on Wednesday night (8 Sep) that it will no longer report the number of linked and unlinked new coronavirus cases as part of a revamp of its daily COVID-19 press release.
This is to reflect “salient issues” as Singapore enters a “very different stage of our battle against COVID-19”, said the Ministry.
“We will … no longer provide information on the number of linked/unlinked cases as this is no longer as relevant as before, given our current strategy of living with COVID-19,” said MOH.
The Ministry continued, “Today, we are one of most highly vaccinated countries in the world, with 81 per cent of our population having fully completed their vaccinations.
“With a high vaccination rate, we have adjusted our measures to transit to a COVID-19 resilient nation.”
Earlier on 3 September, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had noted that it was “timely” for MOH to revamp its daily COVID-19 report.
“As we are not chasing down every single case, which means unlinked numbers are also not as relevant as before,” said Mr Ong during a press conference by the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force.
