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SINGAPORE: A new cluster of COVID-19 involving three confirmed cases has been identified in Singapore, after the Indonesian maid of a Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member and her husband tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 35-year-old maid was among seven new COVID-19 infections reported in Singapore as of noon on Wednesday (February 24). She was the only community case in Singapore.
The helper also tested preliminary positive for strain B117 and is awaiting further confirmatory testing.
The remaining six infections were imported cases and were placed on admission notice upon arrival, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said in its daily update.
No new infections were reported in the dormitories of foreign workers.
In its update, the Health Ministry also said it received the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac on Tuesday, although it has not yet been authorized by the Health Sciences Authority for use in the country.
THE COMMUNITY CASE
The Indonesian domestic worker was identified as close contact with the SIA cabin crew member and quarantined on February 9, the Health Ministry said.
His swab and serology tests taken on the same day were negative.
“She developed a cough on February 20 during the quarantine, but it was not reported to the Ministry of Health,” the ministry said.
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He was tested again on February 22 and his result was positive for COVID-19 the next day.
She was later transferred by ambulance to the National Center for Infectious Diseases.
“The result of his serological test has been positive, but it is likely to be a recent infection,” said the Ministry of Health.
IMPORTED CASES
Among the six imported cases, two are holders of work passes that arrived from India and Japan.
One is a work permit holder, a foreign domestic worker, who came from Indonesia.
There was also a student pass holder who came from India to study in Singapore.
The two remaining cases are holders of short-term visitation passes. One of them came from Sri Lanka to visit a relative who works in Singapore. The other is a member of the sea crew who arrived from Malaysia on a boat. It was tested on board without disembarking.
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8 more cases registered
Another eight cases have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities, bringing total recoveries to 59,761, the Health Ministry said.
Eighteen are still in the hospital, most of whom are stable or improving, with one patient in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Another 82 cases are isolated and treated in community facilities.
As of Wednesday, Singapore has reported a total of 59,890 COVID-19 cases.
VACCINATION EXERCISE FOR TAXI, PRIVATE DRIVERS BEGINS
More than 50,000 taxi and private rental drivers will be able to book appointments for their COVID-19 vaccinations starting this week, as part of Singapore’s national vaccination program.
By the end of this week, active drivers will progressively receive an SMS with a link for them to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments, the Land Transportation Authority (LTA) said.
They can choose to get vaccinated at any of the vaccination centers, polyclinics or public health preparation clinics that function as vaccination sites.
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“Vaccination can give our taxi drivers and (private rental) drivers additional peace of mind by ensuring protection for themselves and their families,” said LTA Executive Director Ng Lang.
It will also provide safety for travelers and contribute to the overall community resilience against COVID-19, he added.
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