Nearly 4K COVID-19 Cases Reported on 19 Oct; MOH Urges Seniors to Limit Social Activities

You probably rubbed your eyes yesterday (19 Oct) after discovering that nearly 4,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported.

After all, our case numbers had been decreasing every day since 16 Oct.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) saw this surge in cases coming, though, saying: “There is a usual post-weekend surge in cases today.”

It added that it will “closely monitor cases for the next few days, to determine if this is a temporary spike or a further surge in infections.”

Large numbers of COVID-19 cases have been reported here in the past couple of months, with the vast majority of them mild or asymptomatic.

But, sadly, there will be a small minority who will succumb to the disease.

7 COVID-19 Fatalities; Three Fully Vaccinated

Seven more COVID-19 cases passed away from complications, bringing our death toll to 246.

They were five men and two women, aged between 57 and 90. Three were unvaccinated against COVID-19, one was partially vaccinated, and three were fully vaccinated.

Six of them had various underlying medical conditions, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH), while one unvaccinated case had no known medical condition.

3,994 New COVID-19 Cases

3,994 new COVID-19 cases were reported yesterday, an increase of 1,441 from the previous day’s tally.

The cases comprise 3,480 infections in the community, 501 in migrant workers’ dormitories, and 13 imported cases.

Among the local cases are 567 seniors above 60.

The health ministry said it has observed a rise in activity levels, including a higher number of visitors across all malls and larger crowds in the Orchard Road area, as well as a slight increase in public transport ridership.

This could have contributed to the spike in cases we saw yesterday.

Existing COVID-19 Clusters Grow

MOH is closely monitoring five large clusters with new cases at the moment, the largest of which is at United Medicare Centre (Toa Payoh).

With the addition of four more cases, the nursing home now has 132 infections, comprising 113 residents, 18 staff, and one household contact of a case.

New cases were linked to the four other clusters as well, namely:

• ECON Medicare Centre & Nursing Home (10 Buangkok View Block 5) – one new case, 64 in total
• Bukit Batok Home for the Aged – one new case, 53 in total
• St. Andrew’s Nursing Home (Taman Jurong) – two new cases, 18 in total
• MWS Christalite Methodist Home – four new cases, 114 in total

1,738 COVID-19 Cases in Hospital; 71 in ICU

At the moment, there are 1,738 COVID-19 cases warded in hospitals, most of whom are well and under observation.

338 serious cases require oxygen supplementation and 71 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

In addition, there are 16,377 cases undergoing home recovery, 3,812 in community care facilities and 851 are in COVID-19 treatment facilities.

Of those who have passed away over the last 28 days, 27.1% were fully vaccinated and 72.9% were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Currently, 84% of our population has been fully vaccinated. 85% have received at least one dose.

MOH Urges Seniors to Limit Social Activities

MOH noted that the number of infected unvaccinated seniors above the age of 60 has risen over the past few days, to “well over 100” a day.

“The number of persons requiring ICU care continues to rise, and this has put our hospitals under significant pressure and strain,” it said.

The health ministry strongly encouraged those more vulnerable to COVID-19, especially the elderly and people with comorbidities, to limit social activities and go out only for essential activities.

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