For the 1st Time Since Dorm Clusters Emerged, The Number of Imported Cases is More Than Dorm Infections in a Day

By
Shawn Ambrose
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You’re probably aware that the Covid-19 situation in Singapore is improving, because you’re no longer working while lying in bed.

Early on in the pandemic, while the world was praising us and we were patting our own backs, the coronavirus was stealthily spreading in migrant worker dormitories, due to the cramped and squalid living spaces.

Then cases started spiking, making Singapore a member of the 1,000 or more new daily infections club (membership is involuntary).

So, we were forced to enter the Lockdown-Period-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named for over two months, before life slowly returned to normal.

Now, it seems like all these restrictions have worked, because we’ve finally brought down cases in the one area it was most prevalent.

For the 1st Time Since Dorm Clusters Emerged, The Number of Imported Cases is More Than Dorm Infections in a Day

The number of imported cases has exceeded the number of cases in migrant worker dormitories for the first time in six months, according to CNA. 

Out of the 19 cases reported on Thursday (1 Oct), 15 were imported and only 3 were migrant workers from dormitories.

The last time we had more imported cases than dormitory cases in a day was on 1 Apr, shortly after the authorities started banning short-term visitors from entering the country.

On that day, we had 19 imported infections and 13 cases from dormitories.

Wait, this means we’re seemingly in a better state than we were in early April?

Image: Tenor

Back then, infections exceeded 1,000 twice, prompting the authorities to extend the much-detested circuit breaker.

Now, other measures were introduced as well, including rostered routine testing in dormitories and restrictions on social gatherings.

Two Community Cases Removed After Further Tests

The Ministry of Health (MOH) initially reported 21 new cases on Thursday (1 Oct), but removed two community infections after further tests revealed they were not infected.

That just leaves one case in the community – a 54-year-old Singapore PR who was identified as a contact of a previous case and quarantined.

The 15 imported cases include three Singaporeans and two PRs who returned from Indonesia on 19 Sep and India on 17 Sep and 19 Sep.

Arrivals from India also included two students’ pass holders and a short-term visit pass holder who was receiving medical care in Singapore and returned for further treatment.

Three work pass/work permit holders also arrived from India and the Philippines.

The remaining four infections were special pass holders who are crew members of a ship.

They arrived from Malaysia on 23 Sep but did not disembark. They later tested positive for the virus while on the ship, and were taken to the hospital by an ambulance.

Of the three dormitory cases, one had already been quarantined as he was identified as a contact of a previous case.

The other two infections were detected through surveillance testing.

Easing of Travel Restrictions

Due to dwindling infections, the authorities decided to ease more travel restrictions, this time allowing visitors from Australia and Vietnam from 8 Oct.

All they have to do before coming to this tiny island is to apply for an Air Travel Pass and isolate for a short period while waiting for their test results.

Once confirmed to be negative, they can jalan-jalan around Singapore, eating all the Chicken Rice and Prata their heart desires.

This means that all arrivals from these countries, including Singaporeans, PRs, and long-term pass holders, won’t have to undergo a 7-day quarantine.

Phew Dogs GIF - Phew Dogs GIFs
Image: Tenor

However, both countries are not as open to a relationship as we are, as they are still hesitant to allow foreigners into the country.

For now, it seems like a one-sided love story. Hopefully, that changes soon.

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]