An 84-year-old Singaporean woman has died from complications due to COVID-19 infection.

SINGAPORE: The number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore has crossed the 10,000 mark, with 1,016 new cases reported as of noon on Wednesday (Apr 22).

The vast majority of the new cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary release of figures.





The new cases bring the national total to 10,141.



In its latest update, MOH announced one more death due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 12.



Fifteen new cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents. MOH also added in its update that there were two work pass holders who were diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the number of new cases in the community to 17.



Eight new clusters were identified by the ministry, three of which are located at Tuas View Square and two along Sungei Kadut Avenue.





Another cluster is located at Wing Fong Court, a condominium in Geylang.

An 84-year-old Singaporean woman identified as Case 1071 died from complications due to COVID-19 infection on Tuesday night.



"Khoo Teck Puat Hospital has reached out to her family and is extending assistance to them," said MOH.



The ministry also reported 967 new cases among foreign workers living in dormitories and 32 cases among those residing outside dormitories.



Of the new cases, 73 per cent are linked to known clusters, while the rest are pending contact tracing.



Between Apr 15 and Apr 21, MOH has uncovered links for 918 previously unlinked cases.

One of the cases announced on Wednesday was a resident at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital at 705 Serangoon Road, according to the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

The 86-year-old woman - also known as Case 10127 - was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Tuesday, and is now warded in isolation at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

A previously announced case also has links to a nursing home, said AIC. Case 8407 is a 40-year-old healthcare assistant at Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home at 5 Sembawang Walk.

She was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Apr 20, and is currently warded in isolation at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. She was last at work on Apr 19, said AIC.

Both Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital and Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home have taken additional precautionary measures, including disinfecting affected areas of both facilities, said the agency.



8 NEW CLUSTERS

Links were found between 10 previously confirmed cases and one of the new cases to form a new cluster at 10 Kranji Link.

Six of the newly confirmed cases are linked to 23 previous cases to form a new cluster at 32 Tuas View Square.

Three of the newly confirmed cases are linked to 19 previous cases to form a new cluster at 36 Tuas View Square.

One of the newly confirmed cases is linked to five previous cases to form a new cluster at 40 Tuas View Square.

A new cluster at 61 Senoko Drive consists of 11 of the newly confirmed cases and three previous cases.

Another new cluster at 8 Sungei Kadut Avenue has been identified from 23 previously unlinked cases.

A total of 41 of the newly confirmed cases are linked to six previous cases, forming a new cluster at 18 Sungei Kadut Avenue.



Five of the earlier confirmed cases have now been linked to a new cluster at Wing Fong Court at 10 Lorong 14 Geylang.



A total of 57 more cases of COVID-19 infection have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities, bringing the number of fully recovered patients to 896.

Of the 4,234 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving, while 25 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

There are 4,999 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19 and are cared for at community facilities.



CIRCUIT BREAKER EXTENDED

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday announced that Singapore will extend its COVID-19 "circuit breaker" period by four weeks until Jun 1.

Tighter measures, such as closing more workplaces and entry restrictions at popular markets, were also announced.

Standalone shops that sell only beverages, packaged snacks, confectioneries or desserts will have to close. Hairdressers and barbers will also have to shut.



Addressing the spike in COVID-19 cases in dormitories, Mr Lee said that older foreign workers will be given "special attention" and moved to a separate dormitory for monitoring.

The Prime Minister added that the Government will increase medical resources in dormitories and deploy more medical personnel to ensure workers with flu symptoms get "appropriate and timely" medical treatment.



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