1,037 new coronavirus cases, bringing Singapore's total to 11,178

[SINGAPORE] Foreign workers in dormitories continue to make up the bulk of new coronavirus cases with 982 such workers among the 1,037 new cases on Thursday (April 23), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update.

The total number of patients infected with the coronavirus has now hit 11,178.

Foreign workers not staying in dorms made up 30 of the new cases.

There were also 25 new cases in the community, including 22 Singaporeans and permanent residents as well as three work pass holders.

No imported cases were reported.

Of the new cases, three-quarters were linked to known clusters while the rest are currently unlinked pending contact tracing.

The MOH also announced six new clusters at Blue Stars Dormitory in 3 Kian Teck Lane; Hulett Dormitory in 20 Senoko Drive; Seatown Dormitory in 69H Tuas South Avenue 1; Woodlands Dormitory in 27 Woodlands Sector; 12 Loyang Drive; and 59 Sungei Kadut Loop.

The S11 Dormitory in Punggol remains Singapore's largest active cluster with 2,234 confirmed cases. The cluster alone accounts for almost 20 per cent of all the cases here.

Meanwhile, 36 more patients were discharged from hospitals and community isolation facilities. In total, 924 patients have been discharged.

The MOH said the number of new cases in the general community has decreased, from an average of 34 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 25 per day in the past week.

The number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased slightly, from an average of 20 cases a day in the week before, to an average of 18 per day in the past week.

"We will continue to closely monitor these numbers, as well as the cases detected through our surveillance programme," said the ministry.

THE STRAITS TIMES

For the latest numbers on the global coronavirus situation, go to bt.sg/ncov