APD | Singapore becomes largest Covid-19 hotbed in Southeast Asia

By APD writer Alice

Singapore has become the largest Covid-19 hotbed in Southeast Asia, with the total number of infections reaching 6,588 as of April 19.

The country reported 596 new cases on April 19, of whom, 68 percent are linked to known clusters, while the rest are pending contact tracing, according to the Singaporean Ministry of Health.

The vast majority were work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, it said.

Most of these cases are young, have a mild illness and are being monitored in the community isolation facilities or general ward of our hospitals. None of them is in the intensive care unit.

Five new clusters were identified namely Woodlands Lodge I, Changi Lodge II, 51 Paya Ubi Industrial Park, 17 Jalan Besut and Sembawang Shipyard.

There were 30 cases within the community, including 25 Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, and five work pass holders. Among the community cases, five were children aged between one and 12 years.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, authorities reported 327 additional cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases to 6,575, with 582 deaths and 686 recoveries.

In the Philippines, 172 more infections and 12 deaths were recorded on April 19, bringing the total figures to 6,259 and 409, respectively.

As of April 19, Malaysia had a total of 5,389 cases with 89 deaths; Thailand 2,765 cases and 47 deaths; Vietnam 268 cases and no death; and Cambodia 122 cases and no death.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)