Two New Covid-19 Clusters Detected In Already-Cleared Dormitories, 41 Cases Removed From Total Count

Just a couple of days ago, the authorities announced that there were three new Covid-19 clusters in dormitories that had already been cleared of the disease.

It’s almost as if the coronavirus is an evil villain who’s toying with us, at this point. It gives us a moment of respite, before attacking us again.

Image: Tenor

Moreover, many countries who claimed victory against Covid-19 are now battling new outbreaks of the disease.

These occurrences beg a question that none of us want answered: is it even possible to defeat the coronavirus without the aid of a vaccine?

Well, based on what we’ve seen, I think we both know the answer to that one.

Two New Covid-19 Clusters Detected In Already-Cleared Dormitories, Bringing The Total To 8

Two new Covid-19 clusters have been detected at dormitories that were previously cleared of the disease, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday (4 Sept).

The two dormitories in question are Cochrane Lodge II at Admiralty Road West and Westlite Toh Guan dormitory at Toh Guan Road East.

8 of the 48 new infections reported on Thursday were linked to 10 previous cases at Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, which was cleared of the coronavirus on 14 Aug.

Cochrane Lodge II, which was cleared of the disease on 22 July by the health ministry, reported that 14 previous cases were linked to it, forming another cluster.

New clusters have also been identified at six other dormitories that were previously cleared, including:

  • Sungei Tengah Lodge
  • Homestay Lodge
  • Tuas View Dormitory
  • Changi Lodge II
  • North Coast Lodge
  • Toh Guan Dormitory

Sure, these numbers might not scare you, but it should be noted that a few thousand migrant workers were previously marched back into isolation because of one new Covid-19 case.

These new infections wouldn’t have been detected were it not for the rostered routine testing carried out by the authorities.

There are three groups of workers who are required to undergo routine testing every 14 days. These include:

  • workers who are staying in dormitories
  • workers in the construction, marine and process sectors
  • workers going into the worksites

Employees also have to ensure their workers have completed a Covid-19 swab test in the past 14 days by Saturday, or workers won’t be given the green light to return to work.

2 Unlinked Community Cases

Fortunately, the number of cases in the community remains low.

On Thursday, MOH reported 48 new Covid-19 cases, two of which were unlinked infections in the community.

There were also five imported cases, all of whom were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.

Migrant workers in dormitories made up the remaining 41 cases.

22 of them were contacts of previously-confirmed cases and were already placed on quarantine.

The remaining 19 were picked up through the bi-weekly routine testing and testing of those who reported sick for Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI).

41 Covid-19 Cases Removed From Total Count

As of 3 Sep 2020, there are 56,908 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Singapore.

But savvy readers who’ve been keeping track of the total number of cases in Singapore would’ve noticed something interesting.

On 2 Sep, the total number was 56,901.

Image: Giphy

That’s because, on 2 Sep, MOH announced that 41 cases has been removed from the total count.

Not much is revealed about the removal except that further investigations have shown they were negative.

As of the time of writing, 137 more Covid-19 patients have recovered and are discharged from the hospital, bringing the total number to 56,028.

There are 52 Covid-19 patients still in the hospital and none in the intensive care unit.

801 more cases are being cared for at community facilities.

Geylang Serai Market & Bras Basah Complex Visited by Covid-19 Cases

MOH also added several locations to its long list of public places visited by infectious Covid-19 community cases.

These include the Geylang Serai Malay Market and Food Centre as well as the Bras Basah Complex.

Other places recently added include:

  • Perky Lash salon at Nex mall in Serangoon on 26 Aug between 1.05pm and 2.30pm
  • KL Traditional Chilli Ban Mee stall in 27A Coffee coofee shop at 9 Lorong 27A Geylang on 26 Aug between 2.45pm and 3.45pm
  • Raimah Eating House at 56 Jalan Kembangan on 26 Aug between 7pm and 8.30pm
  • Kopitiam food court at VivoCity mall on 27 Aug between 1pm and 1.50pm
  • Bras Basah Complex on 27 Aug between 6.35pm and 7.10pm
  • White Restaurant at Suntec City mall on 29 Aug between 7pm and 8pm
  • Geylang Serai Malay Market and Food Centre on 30 Aug between 6.55am and 7.35am
  • FairPrice supermarket at Woodlands Civic Centre on 31 Aug between 3pm and 3.55pm

You can view the full list here.

Have you visited these places? If so, there’s no need to panic.

Those who visited these locations at the same time are advised to monitor their health for the next two weeks, and see a doctor if they’re unwell.

And there’s no need to cancel your plans at these places, either. They’ve been thoroughly disinfected and are cleaner than the cutlery at Buckingham Palace.