01/11/2021

COVID-19: Singapore abandoning ‘Zero COVID’ strategy



Updated 21 Nov 2021: Singapore enters Transition Phase from 22 Nov 2021

From Monday (Nov 22), fully vaccinated people can dine together in groups of up to five, even if they are not from the same household. The two-person cap on social gatherings will also be raised to five persons, and households may take in up to five distinct visitors a day from Monday.

The changes came after the Government announced that the Covid-19 "stabilisation phase" will end on Sunday. In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that Singapore will move into the “transition phase” of its reopening plan, bringing the country back on track on its four-stage roadmap to live with Covid-19.

Right now, fully vaccinated people are allowed to dine at food establishments in groups of up to five only if they are from the same household. If they are from different households, they may only dine in pairs. The easing of measures were in view of the Covid-19 situation having improved since the stabilisation phase was extended for a month in October.


Singapore reports 1,931 new COVID-19 cases and 13 more deaths; ICU utilisation rate falls further

Singapore reported 1,931 new COVID-19 cases and 13 more deaths linked to the coronavirus as of noon on Saturday (Nov 20). The fatalities were aged between 62 and 98. All of them, except for an unvaccinated case, had various underlying medical conditions. Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 654.

The daily case count on Saturday is up from the 1,734 infections reported on Friday. Among the new cases, 1,925 are locally transmitted, comprising 1,867 infections in the community and 58 cases in migrant workers' dormitories. The remaining six are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.30pm.

As of Saturday, Singapore has reported 250,518 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 1,734 new COVID-19 cases and 16 more deaths; overall ICU rate falls to 57%

Singapore reported 1,734 new COVID-19 cases and 16 more deaths linked to the coronavirus as of noon on Friday (Nov 19). The fatalities were aged between 52 and 93. All of them, except for an unvaccinated case, had various underlying medical conditions. Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 641.

The number of new cases reported on Friday is down from the 2,038 infections reported on Thursday. The weekly infection growth rate is 0.77 as of Friday, the lowest it has been since MOH started releasing this information on Aug 27. Of the new cases reported on Friday, 1,730 are locally transmitted, comprising 1,633 infections in the community and 97 cases in migrant workers' dormitories. The remaining four are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.25pm.

As of Friday, Singapore has reported 248,587 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.



Singapore reports 2,038 new COVID-19 cases and 6 more deaths; overall ICU rate falls below 60%

Singapore reported 2,038 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Nov 18), as the daily number of coronavirus-related deaths fell to its lowest in more than three weeks. The six fatalities reported on Thursday were aged between 57 and 84. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The number of COVID-19 deaths reported on Thursday is the fewest since Oct 23. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 625.

The number of new cases reported on Thursday is down from the 3,474 infections reported on Wednesday. The weekly infection growth rate has stayed below 1 for six consecutive days. Of the new cases reported on Thursday, 2,031 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 1,964 cases in the community and 67 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were seven imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.10pm.

As of Thursday, Singapore has reported 246,853 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.



Singapore reports 3,474 new COVID-19 cases and 7 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,474 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Wednesday (Nov 17), as seven more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 47 and 83. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. This is the lowest daily number of fatalities reported since Oct 23, when six deaths were recorded. The COVID-19 death toll in Singapore is now 619.

The number of new cases reported on Wednesday is up from the 2,069 infections reported on Tuesday. Of the new cases reported on Wednesday, 3,464 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 3,320 cases in the community and 144 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There are 10 imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.15pm.

As of Wednesday, Singapore has reported 244,815 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,069 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,069 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Nov 16) as 18 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 67 and 95. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. This is the highest daily number of fatalities reported since Oct 20, when 18 deaths were also reported. The COVID-19 death toll in Singapore is now 612.

The number of new cases reported on Tuesday was the same as the 2,069 infections reported on Monday. Of the new cases reported on Tuesday, 2,064 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,021 cases in the community and 43 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were five imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.50pm.

As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported 241,341 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,069 new COVID-19 cases and 8 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,069 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Monday (Nov 15), as eight more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 71 and 96. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 594.

The number of new cases reported on Monday is up from the 1,723 infections reported on Sunday. Of the new cases reported on Monday, 2,065 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 1,964 cases in the community and 101 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were four imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.10pm.

As of Monday, Singapore has reported 239,272 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.



Homeless in the time of Covid-19
Ironically despite there being available spaces from the government and volunteer groups, there are individuals who still prefer to sleep rough

According to a study from last year, there are around 1,000 people living in the streets of Singapore. Homeless people have always been vulnerable, and during the time of a pandemic, when each person is expected to shelter-at-home, there are individuals who still prefer to sleep rough, despite available spaces from the government and volunteer groups.

A recent story from TODAY Online featured several such individuals who are sleeping in the streets during this circuit breaker period. The article quotes Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee as saying recently that there are still 400 available beds in various shelters that answered the call to help house the homeless at this time. One of the people TODAY talked to had difficulty in finding shelter due to his dependency on alcohol, another was an 80-year-old who actually has employment as a dishwasher but who has gotten used to sleeping rough as he has done this for more than two decades. Yet another homeless man, a cleaner who had been estranged from his wife for over a year, had actually been offered shelter at a church. He turned down the offer out of fear he would be brainwashed.

But perhaps the situation of homeless people in Singapore is still relatively better than in other parts of the world. As community transmissions of the coronavirus have been going down steadily—with the Ministry of Health saying this week it’s down to two per day—the homeless in Singapore have a smaller chance of getting infected.



Singapore reports 1,723 new COVID-19 cases and 10 more deaths

Singapore reported 1,723 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Sunday (Nov 14) as 10 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 60 and 96. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these medical conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 586.

The number of new cases reported on Sunday is a decrease from the 2,304 infections reported on Saturday. The weekly infection growth rate is 0.97 as of Sunday, lower than the 0.98 reported on Saturday. This refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over the week before. Of the new cases reported on Sunday, 1,717 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 1,651 cases in the community and 66 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There are six imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11pm.

As of Sunday, Singapore has reported 237,203 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,304 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,304 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Saturday (Nov 13) as 14 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 61 and 94. All of them, except for a partially vaccinated case, had various underlying medical conditions. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 576.

The number of new cases reported on Saturday is a decrease from the 3,099 infections reported on Friday. Of the new cases reported on Saturday, 2,299 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,179 cases in the community and 120 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were five imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.45pm.

As of Saturday, Singapore has reported 235,480 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 3,099 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,099 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Friday (Nov 12) as 14 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 35 and 102. All of them, except for an unvaccinated case, had various underlying medical conditions. The 35-year-old was not vaccinated and had multiple comorbidities, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 562.

The number of new cases reported on Friday is up from the 2,396 infections reported on Thursday. The weekly infection growth rate was 1.04 as of Friday, higher than the 0.87 reported on Thursday. The last time the weekly infection growth rate was above 1 was on Nov 2. Of the new cases reported on Friday, 3,093 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,965 cases in the community and 128 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were six imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.40pm.

As of Friday, Singapore has reported 233,176 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

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Singapore reports 2,396 new COVID-19 cases and 8 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,396 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Nov 11) as eight more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 74 and 100. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 548.

The number of new cases reported on Thursday is down from the 3,481 infections reported on Wednesday. This was the ninth consecutive day that the weekly infection growth rate has remained below 1. Of the new cases reported on Thursday, 2,379 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,243 cases in the community and 136 infections in migrant workers' dormitories. There were 17 imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.55pm.

As of Wednesday, Singapore has reported 230,077 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

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Singapore reports 3,481 new COVID-19 cases and 17 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,481 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Wednesday (Nov 10) as 17 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 65 and 101. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 540.

The number of new cases reported on Wednesday is up from the 3,397 infections reported on Tuesday. This was the eighth consecutive day the weekly infection growth rate has remained below 1. Of the new cases reported on Wednesday, 3,473 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 3,244 in the community and 229 in migrant workers' dormitories. There were eight imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.25pm.

As of Wednesday, Singapore has reported 227,681 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.



Singapore reports 3,397 new COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,397 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Nov 9) as 12 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 58 and 95. All of them, except for an unvaccinated individual, had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 523.

The number of new cases reported on Tuesday is up from the 2,470 infections reported on Monday. Of the new cases reported on Tuesday, 3,391 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 3,222 in the community and 169 in migrant workers' dormitories. There were six imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.15pm.

As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported 224,200 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,470 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,470 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Monday (Nov 8), as 14 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 56 and 98. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s death toll to 511.

The number of new cases reported on Monday is down from the 2,553 infections reported on Sunday. Of the new cases reported on Monday, 2,463 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,307 in the community and 156 in migrant workers' dormitories. There were seven imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.40pm. 

As of Monday, Singapore has reported 220,803 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,553 new COVID-19 cases and 17 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,553 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Sunday (Nov 7), as 17 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 45 and 89. All of them had various underlying medical conditions, except for an 85-year-old vaccinated person who had no known medical condition. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s total death toll to 497.

The number of new cases reported on Sunday was down from the 3,035 infections reported on Saturday. Of the new cases reported on Sunday, 2,548 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,343 in the community and 205 in migrant workers' dormitories. There were five imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.40pm.

As of Sunday, Singapore has reported 218,333 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 3,035 new COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,035 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Saturday (Nov 6), as 12 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 60 and 98. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore’s total death toll to 480.

The number of new cases reported on Friday is up from the 1,767 infections reported on Friday. Of the new cases reported on Saturday, 3,030 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 2,928 in the community and 102 in migrant workers' dormitories. There are five imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.40pm.

As of Saturday, Singapore has reported 215,780 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 1,767 new COVID-19 cases and 9 more deaths

Singapore reported 1,767 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Friday (Nov 5) as nine more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 67 and 85. All of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 468.

The number of new cases reported on Friday is down from the 3,003 infections reported on Thursday. It is also the lowest daily COVID-19 caseload since Sep 27, when 1,647 infections were reported. This is the third consecutive day the weekly infection growth rate has remained below 1. Of the new cases reported on Friday, 1,759 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 1,639 in the community and 120 in migrant workers' dormitories. There are eight imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.25pm.

As of Friday, Singapore has reported 212,745 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 3,003 new COVID-19 cases, 17 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,003 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Nov 4) and 17 more deaths from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities, aged between 55 and 93, all had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 459.

The number of new cases reported on Thursday is down from the 3,635 infections reported on Wednesday. The weekly infection growth rate fell further to 0.93 from 0.96 on Wednesday. This refers to the ratio of community cases in the past week over the week before. Of the new cases reported on Thursday, 3,000 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 2,780 in the community and 220 in migrant workers' dormitories. The remaining three are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.15pm.

As of Thursday, Singapore has reported 210,978 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 3,635 new COVID-19 cases, 12 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,635 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Wednesday (Nov 3) as 12 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 59 and 99, and all of them had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 442.

The number of new cases reported on Wednesday is up from the 3,496 infections reported on Tuesday. The weekly infection growth rate was 0.96 as of Wednesday, falling below 1 for the first time since Oct 18. This refers to the ratio of community cases in the past week over the week before. Of the new cases reported on Wednesday, 3,632 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 3,223 in the community and 409 in migrant workers' dormitories. There were three imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.30pm.

As of Wednesday, Singapore has reported a total of  207,975 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

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Singapore reports 3,496 new COVID-19 cases and 9 more deaths

Singapore reported 3,496 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Nov 2) as nine more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities reported on Tuesday were aged between 53 and 93. All of them, except for two unvaccinated cases, had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 430.

The number of new cases reported on Tuesday is up from the 2,470 infections reported on Monday. Of the new cases reported on Tuesday, 3,493 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 3,352 in the community and 141 in migrant workers' dormitories. Three were three imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 11.30pm. 

As of Tuesday, Singapore has reported a total of 204,340 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore reports 2,470 new COVID-19 cases, 14 more deaths

Singapore reported 2,470 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Monday (Nov 1) as 14 more people died from complications due to the coronavirus. The fatalities were aged between 56 and 95. All of them, except for an unvaccinated individual, had various underlying medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 421.

The number of new cases reported on Monday is nearly 700 down from the 3,163 infections reported on Sunday. Of the new cases reported on Monday, 2,467 infections were locally transmitted, comprising 2,189 in the community and 278 in migrant workers' dormitories. Three were imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to the media at about 10.50pm.

As of Monday, Singapore has reported a total of 200,844 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.


Singapore abandons the 'zero COVID' strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the major topics at this year's G-20 summit. Some countries in Asia have decided that their earlier strategy of zero COVID is futile and that they must learn to live with the virus. In Singapore, that shift has ushered in a surge of coronavirus infections.

Singapore has one of the world's highest vaccination rates at 82%, yet cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing from just double digits in August to well over 3,000 cases a day now. Infectious disease physician Dale Fisher of the National University Hospital says Singapore is letting nature take its course.

Singapore's health experts say exiting the pandemic will mean a carefully calibrated lifting of lids and laying them back on again as needed. Fisher says it may take another year or two. Meanwhile, he says don't expect a Singapore version of the U.K.'s Freedom Day, where almost all COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.


Zero-Covid strategy no longer feasible due to highly infectious Delta variant: PM Lee
Addressing the nation on the Covid-19 situation, PM Lee set out why a zero-Covid strategy is no longer feasible. PHOTO: MCI

A zero-Covid-19 strategy is no longer feasible given how infectious the Delta variant is, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as he set out the country’s situation and what has changed.

With vaccinations, the virus has become a mild, treatable disease for most, he added, urging people to go about their daily activities, taking necessary precautions and complying with safe management measures.

Key to this shift is updating mindsets to respect the virus but not be paralysed by fear, Mr Lee said in an address to the nation on Saturday (Oct 9).


Asian countries are at last abandoning zero-covid strategies
Despite the risks, they are right to do so

For much of the pandemic, many of the wealthier countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region have pursued a “zero-covid” strategy, whether explicit or not. The success of the approach, involving closed borders, quarantine hotels and severe lockdowns, has generally been spectacular.

Hong Kong has had no locally transmitted infections since mid-August. In the pandemic’s first year, Taiwan officially counted about a dozen deaths from covid-19. New Zealand is the standout zero-covid state, with just 27 deaths. Indeed, because fewer people died of things like flu or road accidents in lockdown, both countries recorded fewer overall deaths than in a normal year, according to The Economist’s excess-deaths tracker.

Yet those with a good first act are struggling in the second. The coronavirus, especially the highly infectious Delta variant, usually has the last word. In Taiwan cases leapt in May, and the official death toll has risen to nearly 850. In Singapore daily infections have risen from low double digits in early July to more than 3,000 now. Australia, with some 2,000-odd daily cases, is following a similar trajectory. Even in New Zealand, now with double-digit daily cases, the dam has broken.


Singapore enters the Stabilisation Phase on 27 September 2021

During this stabilisation period, safe management measures will be tightened to slow down the number of COVID-19 cases. 

From 27 Sep - 24 Oct, social gatherings will be reduced to a maximum of 2 persons. Work-from-home will be the default and home-based learning for Primary and Special Education schools will be extended till 7 Oct. Seniors are also strongly encouraged to stay home as much as possible. 

Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong was speaking at the Multi-Ministry Taskforce press conference on 24 Sept 2021.


Singapore Back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 22 Jul 2021

Singapore reported 3,163 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Sunday (Oct 31) as 13 more people died from complications due to the virus. The fatalities were aged between 57 and 89. All of them had various underlying medical conditions, except for two unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals who had no known medical conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were. This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 407.

Among Sunday's cases, 3,159 infections are locally transmitted, comprising 2,745 in the community and 414 in migrant workers' dormitories. Four are imported cases, MOH said in its daily update released to media at about 11.05pm. The weekly infection growth rate is 1.12 as of . This refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over the week before.

As of Sunday, Singapore has reported a total of 198,374 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.




COVID-19 infections in Singapore:
Singapore reports deaths from COVID-19



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