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Third straight day: New high of 1,650 daily COVID cases in Singapore, 3 more deaths

People dine at Boat Quay during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Singapore September 24, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su
People dine at Boat Quay during the coronavirus disease outbreak in Singapore on 24 September, 2021. (PHOTO: Reuters)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Friday (24 September) confirmed a new record-high of 1,650 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore – taking the country's total case count to 84,510 – and three more deaths due to the disease.

Friday's count marks the highest ever daily new COVID-19 cases reported in the city-state, breaking the record-high for the third day running. It is also the fifth day in a row where fatalities from the virus are reported.

Singapore's 71st through 73rd COVID-19 fatalities are all Singaporean men, aged 79, 83 and 86, who died on Friday. The three men, of whom two were fully vaccinated, are among 18 people who have died from the disease here this month.

Friday's youngest fatality tested positive for COVID-19 on 8 September and was unvaccinated against COVID- 19. He had a history of pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Graves’ disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol, said the MOH.

The 83-year-old man tested positive on 14 September. and had been fully vaccinated. He had a history of diabetes mellitus, restrictive lung disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol "which, together with his advanced age, made him more susceptible to severe illness", the ministry added.

The oldest fatality tested positive for COVID-19 infection on 16 September and had been fully vaccinated. He had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, bronchiectasis, and hypertension.

Of Friday's 1,650 new cases, 1,646 are local infections: 1,369 are in the community, while 277 are dormitory residents. Among the local cases are 391 people above the age of 60, said the MOH.

The remaining four cases are imported, of whom two were detected upon their arrival in Singapore, while two developed the illness during their stay-home notice or isolation period.

Ten active COVID-19 clusters in Singapore, including four dorms and a preschool, are being closely monitored, said the MOH.

Of the list of monitored clusters, the highest number of 49 new cases – already quarantined – was added to the cluster at Blue Stars dorm. The cluster now has 219 cases and is classified as an intra-dormitory transmission among residents.

One new case, already quarantined, was also added to a cluster at the Yishun branch of My Little Campus. Of the 39 cases, two are staff members, 28 are students, and nine are household contacts,

At the current rate of infection, daily new cases in Singapore are expected to rise to 3,200 in eight days' time.

162 require oxygen supplementation; 23 in ICU

As of Friday, 1,092 cases are currently warded, most of whom are well and under observation.

There are currently 162 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation and 23 in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Of those who have fallen very ill, 151 are patients above the age of 60, said the MOH.

Apart from the 73 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.

Over the last 28 days, the percentage of local cases who were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms is 98 per cent. Over the same period, 297 cases required oxygen supplementation, 32 had been in the ICU, and 16 died.

As of Thursday, about 9.03 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme. Some 4.59 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with some 4.46 million having completed the full vaccination regimen.

Separately, 188,596 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) have been administered as of Thursday, covering 87,322 individuals.

This means that 82 per cent of the population have completed their full regimen, or received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 84 per cent have received at least one dose.

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