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SINGAPORE: Twenty-eight new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Singapore as of noon on Tuesday (January 5), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
Two of the new cases are local broadcasts in the community.
One of them is a close contact of a previously reported case, Case 58812, who is a member of the crew of a ship that arrived from Indonesia on December 17.
There were 26 imported cases, which were placed on stay-at-home or isolated notice upon arrival in Singapore, the ministry said.
Among them are 4 Singaporeans or permanent residents and 13 foreign domestic workers.
No new cases were found in the dormitories of foreign workers.
More details on the new cases will be updated on Tuesday evening, the Health Ministry said.
COVID-19 DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT
The COVID-19 outbreak was one of the main topics of discussion in the first session of the year of the Singapore Parliament.
On Monday, ministers, including COVID-19 task force co-chairs Gan Kim Yong and Lawrence Wong, as well as Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, spoke on topics such as the national vaccination campaign and border measures.
READ: Vaccinating the population against COVID-19 requires ‘considerable resources’, to be the key focus in 2021: Gan Kim Yong
READ: The COVID-19 vaccine is allowed to be used only if the HSA evaluates it to be ‘sufficiently effective and safe’: Gan Kim Yong
Gan said vaccinating the Singaporean population requires “considerable resources” and will be the government’s key focus in 2021. The authorities are preparing clinics and vaccination centers for this effort and reserves will be required when the time comes.
Mr. Wong said the recent COVID-19 family groups are a “sobering reminder of how easy it is for groups to break apart,” warning that “the virus is still circulating and we must take all necessary precautions.”
It also revealed that of the COVID-19 cases that entered Singapore without pre-departure testing between November 18 and December 27, none resulted in local transmission.
READ: No local COVID-19 cases of people entering Singapore without pre-departure testing from Nov 18 to Dec 27
READ: 2 COVID-19 Family Groups – A ‘sobering reminder’ of how easy it is for groups to break up: Lawrence Wong
As of November 18, all non-citizen travelers and non-permanent residents of higher risk countries or regions traveling to Singapore must take a COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure.
“We have not required this of citizens or PRs because we do not want to put up additional barriers for them to return home if they have an urgent need to do so,” said Mr. Wong, adding that children six and under also they are exempt from the requirement, as pediatric testing services may not be readily available in some countries.
“Prior reservations will be necessary given the requirements of the cold chain at the vaccination sites and the multi-dose vials of the vaccines. It will also ensure operational efficiency and minimize individual waiting times, ”he said, adding that more information on how to make the reservation will be provided later.
As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported a total of 58,749 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths from the disease.
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