SINGAPORE, Oct 10 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore reported 3,703 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, hitting a new record high and bringing the total tally in the country to 124,157.
It is the fifth consecutive day when the daily new cases surpass 3,000 in the city-state.
Of the new cases, 2,868 were in the community, 832 were in migrant workers’ dormitories, and three were imported cases, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said, in a press release.
A total of 1,569 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 302 serious illnesses, requiring oxygen supplementation, and 40 in critical condition, in the intensive care units (ICUs), said the MOH.
Besides, 11 more cases have passed away from complications, due to the COVID-19 infection.
As of Oct 8, 83 percent of the local population has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 85 percent has received at least one dose.
The ministry also announced yesterday that, from Oct 10 (today), Singapore will extend home recovery to unvaccinated persons aged 12 to 49 years, vaccinated infected persons aged 70 to 79 years, as well as, children aged five to 11 years old.
To protect unvaccinated individuals and reduce strain on healthcare system, Singapore will expand the Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) for entry into shopping malls, attractions, hawker centres, and coffee shops from Oct 13.
It means that, only groups of up to two fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to dine- in, at all regular food and beverage establishments, and to enter shopping malls.
Meanwhile, the MOH said that, with the experience gained from the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) to Brunei and Germany, the country will be extending the VTLs to eight more countries, namely Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Britain, and the United States, to enter into Singapore from Oct 19.
It will also jointly launch VTLs with the Republic of Korea for travel between the two countries, from Nov 15.
Besides, the ministry said that, Singapore will start offering booster vaccinations to healthcare workers, as well as, frontline COVID-19 workers, who have completed their primary series vaccination regimen around six months ago.
It is also working with various institutions, to progressively roll out booster vaccinations to eligible persons in institutionalised settings, such as, prisons and residential care facilities.
The MOH added that Singapore will progressively invite persons aged 30 years and above, who have also completed their primary series vaccination regimen around six months ago, to make an appointment for their booster dose.– NNN-CNA
