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SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 as of noon on Saturday (December 26), the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said in its preliminary update.
All new cases were imported and placed on a stay-at-home or isolated notice upon arrival in Singapore.
There were no locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.
More details will be released Saturday night, the Health Ministry said.
CONCORD INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL ORDERED TO SUSPEND MEDICAL CARE SERVICES
On Saturday, the Health Ministry said Concord International Hospital was ordered to suspend all health care services effective December 19 after “several major lapses” affecting patient safety were discovered during inspections.
Adam Road Private Hospital “failed to comply with the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act in several areas, which would have an impact on patient safety.”
The Health Ministry is working with the hospital to review its lapses and processes, the ministry said.
READ: Concord International Hospital Ordered To Stop Providing Health Care Services Temporarily Due To ‘Significant Failures’
POSSIBLE NEW CASE LINKED TO MANDARIN ORCHARD
On Friday, the Health Ministry announced that a man who had returned from the Philippines on December 10 and previously tested negative twice for COVID-19 had tested positive on Thursday.
The 47-year-old permanent resident had fulfilled his stay-at-home notice at Mandarin Orchard Singapore upon arrival earlier this month.
He was moved to another dedicated facility on December 20 when the Ministry of Health began investigations of the 13 previously reported cases that had delivered a stay-at-home notice at the same hotel between October 22 and November 11.
The man was swabbed on December 19 and 21, and his test results came back negative for COVID-19 infection.
As a precautionary measure, he was swabbed again upon completing his stay-at-home notice on December 24, and went home after the test.
His test result came back positive that night and he was taken to the hospital the next day.
Investigations are underway to assess whether it could be related to the 13 cases. The result of his serological test is still pending, the Health Ministry said.
READ: 14 New COVID-19 Cases in Singapore, All Imported, Including Man Who Stayed at Mandarin Orchard Hotel
SOUTH KOREA RESTRICTIONS
All travelers entering Singapore after 11:59 p.m. on Saturday and who have traveled to South Korea in the last 14 days must submit their stay-at-home notice at specific facilities.
The tightening of border measures is due to a “sustained increase” in COVID-19 cases in South Korea, the Health Ministry said.
The new measures will apply to Singapore-based returning travelers under the Singapore-South Korea Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) agreement.
As of Saturday, Singapore has reported 58,519 cases of COVID-19.
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