Coronavirus cases cross 8,000 mark with 1,426 new patients

[UPDATED April 21, 12.25am]

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed 1,426 new coronavirus cases in Singapore today (April 20), a sharp increase from 596 cases reported yesterday. Most of the new cases are foreign workers living in the dormitories.

There are 25 cases in the community involving 18 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, as well as seven people holding work passes.

MOH noted a decrease in the number of new cases in the community, from an average of 39 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 29 per day in the past week.

There are no imported cases today.

Meanwhile, 1,369 cases are foreign workers residing in the dormitories. This is due to the extensive testing being done at these places, the health ministry said. Most of these cases have a mild illness and are being monitored in the community isolation facilities or the general wards of hospitals. 

63 per cent of the new cases are linked to known clusters, while the rest are pending contact tracing.

MOH also announced three new clusters — Jurong Apartments dormitory, Woodlands Lodge II dormitory, and 8 Sungei Kadut Loop, which is the address of King Wan Construction.

Of the 3,420 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. 23 are in the intensive care unit. 3,782 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for Covid-19 are isolated and cared for at community facilities.

A total of 8,014 cases have been reported in Singapore so far, with 801 cases discharged and 11 deaths.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

lamminlee@asiaone.com