COVID-19 Updates Singapore (9 Mar): 6 Cases from SAFRA Cluster

The headline might sound scary (double-digit increase—again!) but fret not; MOH knows the sources of all cases announced today, so everything’s still under control.

Though, given that more imported cases are announced, Singapore is no longer paying for the COVID-19 treatment of foreigners with short-term visit pass—i.e. tourists.

But before that, here are the details of today’s cases

10 New COVID-19 Cases in S’pore Today (9 Mar): 6 from SAFRA Cluster

As you’d probably know by now, the SAFRA cluster is set to grow, given that it could have involved 600 people who were both sharing food and microphone.

It’s now the biggest cluster with 36 cases, with 6 new cases reported today.

They are

• 47-year-old female Malaysian who works in Singapore
• 50-year-old female Singapore PR
• 54-year-old female Singapore PR
• 53-year-old female Singaporean
• 59-year-old male Singaporean
• 5-year-old male Singaporean

As usual, not everyone has been to the private dinner—some were merely linked to confirmed cases linked to the dinner.

In addition, there were 3 likely imported cases reported today:

• 65-year-old male Indonesian who had symptoms in Indonesia since 28 February and arrived in Singapore on 7 March
• 65-year-old Singaporean who had been to Indonesia from 25 February to 28 February
• 52-year-old British national

The last case is a 51-year-old Singaporean who is linked to The Life Church and Missions Singapore. This case is unique, though: he’s fully recovered but it was through some high-tech testing (you can read more about it here) that MOH realised he had carried the virus earlier.

This means as of now, there are 160 cases in Singapore.

And did you notice something wrong with today’s first imported case?

No?

But it’s okay. Here’s what’s going to happen. Well, actually, it has happened.

Short-Term Visitors Have to Pay for COVID-19 Treatment Since 7 March 2020

With compulsory testing for any travellers with symptoms to Singapore, it’s no longer easy for tourists to mingle in Singapore should he or she carry the COVID-19 virus.

MOH announced today that tourists and other short-term-visit pass holders in Singapore have to pay for Covid-19 treatment since 7 March 2020.

This is to “prioritise resources at hospitals” since the number of cases is growing globally.

After all, remember: one imported case announced today had symptoms in Indonesia but still came to Singapore. We’re very sure he’s not coming for free treatment but for the good food instead.

Just so you won’t be confused, Singapore residents, which includes all Singaporeans, Singapore PRs and Singapore long-term passes (e.g. student pass, work pass, long-term visit pass) would still get free COVID-19 treatment.

Updates on Confirmed Cases

93 patients have fully recovered and are discharged. 10 are now in ICU, compared to 9 yesterday. The conditions of the remaining patients are either stable or improving.

As of noon today, MOH has identified 3,784 close contacts who have been quarantined. Of these, 724 are currently quarantined, and 3,060 have completed their quarantine.

In the meantime, keep yourself updated by bookmarking MOH’s website here and registering for the Gov.sg’s WhatsApp service here.