39 COVID-19 Cases Today (2 May); 14 are Community Cases

Ever since the TTSH cluster emerged, the number of community cases has been soaring.

As of 12pm today (2 May), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has preliminarily confirmed 39 new cases of COVID-19 infection.

14 are community cases, with 11 of them linked to the TTSH cluster. MOH will provide more details about the cases tonight.

This brings the total number of cases in Singapore to 61,218.

Based on yesterday’s figures, the number of new cases in the community has increased from 11 cases in the week before to 37 cases in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also increased from 4 cases in the week before to 10 cases in the past week.

88YO Woman from TTSH Cluster Dies from COVID-19 Complications

An 88-year-old Singaporean woman who was part of the TTSH cluster died from complications due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday (1 May).

The Singaporean woman had been staying in Ward 9D – where most of the infections in the cluster were detected – since 14 Apr.

She had a history of cancer, hypertension, congestive cardiac failure, stroke, and hyperlipidaemia.

MOH said the National Centre for Infectious Diseases has reached out to the woman’s family and is extending assistance to them.

The 88-year-old is Singapore’s 31st COVID-19 fatality and the first since 13 Mar this year, when a 61-year-old man died from complications due to the coronavirus.

TTSH Cluster is the Country’s First Hospital Cluster

The COVID-19 cluster in TTSH is Singapore’s first in a hospital. And with a total of 16 infections as of yesterday so far (it’ll be 27 if we include today’s cases), it’s also our largest active cluster.

The authorities discovered the group of infections after a fully vaccinated nurse from TTSH fell ill and tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday (27 Apr).

Since then, 15 others have been found to be carrying the disease as well.

They are:

  • 10 patients
  • two doctors
  • a nurse
  • healthcare assistant trainee
  • a cleaner
  • a spouse of a TTSH patient

Hoping to draw a ring around the infections, the hospital will test 1,100 inpatients and 4,500 staff working in the TTSH wards.

It has also locked down four affected wards and minimised patient and staff movement.

No visitors are allowed to enter the hospital, except for critically ill patients.

On Friday (30 Apr), Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said the authorities expect more cases linked to the cluster to emerge.

It’s therefore important to get the vaccine if it’s offered to you. Watch this video to the end to understand how it works:

383 Active Cases

There are currently 111 confirmed cases who are still in hospital. Of these, most are stable or improving, and none is in the intensive care unit.

272 are isolated and cared for at community facilities. These are those who have mild symptoms, or are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19.

31 have passed away from complications due to COVID-19 infection.

Featured Image: kandl stock / Shutterstock.com (Image for illustration purpose only)