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Kamis, 06 Agustus 2020

Singapore reports 301 new COVID-19 cases, including 4 in the community - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 301 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Aug 6), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary daily update.

Four cases were in the community, consisting of three Singaporeans or permanent residents and a work pass holder, and another four were imported cases.

The vast majority of cases reported on Thursday were linked to foreign worker dormitories, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 54,555 infections.

"We continue to aggressively test the final batch of dormitory residents, and remain on track to clear all the dormitories by Aug 7, except for a few standalone blocks in the dormitories that serve as quarantine facilities," the ministry added.

"Depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 at the remaining dormitories whose residents are being tested, the daily case counts may vary.

"We expect the number to remain volatile in the coming days, before tapering down thereafter as the inter-agency task force completes the dormitory clearance."

MOH said it would release more details on the new cases on Thursday night.

READ: COVID-19: Most foreign workers to be able to return to work by end-August, says Lawrence Wong

During a press conference on Thursday, co-chair of the multi-ministry task force Mr Lawrence Wong said most foreign workers should be able to return to work by the end of this month.

With workers who have either been cleared or recovered from COVID-19 back on the job, construction activity will be able to resume by the end of the month as well, said Mr Wong, urging contractors to put in place the required safe management measures right now.

UPDATED MAP: All the places that COVID-19 community cases visited while they were infectious

HEALTHCARE FINANCING FOR SOME TRAVELLERS

From Friday, all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who travel abroad under permitted travel arrangements with certain countries will be able to tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements for their medical bills should they have symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of their return to Singapore, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said.

Currently, those who travel overseas against the travel advisories are required to pay for their own COVID-19 treatment in full should they have symptoms of the disease within 14 days of their return.

READ: Singaporeans, PRs who travel from permitted countries can tap government subsidies for COVID-19 hospital treatment

But as Singapore gradually allows essential travel through various arrangements with certain countries, authorities have reviewed the charging policy for these travellers.

He added that even as more COVID-19 safety restrictions are eased and the number of community cases remains low, most events should continue to remain virtual for now.

READ: Most events should remain virtual for now, even as more COVID-19 restrictions are eased: Gan Kim Yong

WEDNESDAY'S THREE-MONTH HIGH

On Wednesday, Singapore recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 cases since May 1, with 908 new infections.

MOH attributed the high number of cases to the ongoing clearance of foreign worker dormitories, where residents were tested during their isolation/quarantine period, despite being asymptomatic.

More than 300,000 migrant workers living in dormitories were placed in isolation earlier this year as part of the Government’s strategy to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But uncertainties over their health, jobs and prolonged confinement have affected the mental state of many migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant worker advocacy groups said.

READ: COVID 19: No spike in number of migrant worker suicides, says MOM

In response to CNA's queries, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Wednesday it has not observed a spike in the number of migrant worker suicides compared to previous years, although it is aware of recent incidents involving workers living in dormitories.

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2020-08-06 11:48:45Z
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COVID-19: Why are Malaysian workers returning to Singapore given a 7-day stay-home notice? - CNA

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2020-08-06 11:18:26Z
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Hong Kong reports 95 new COVID-19 cases as local transmissions remain high - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong reported 95 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday (Aug 6), of which 91 were locally transmitted, as authorities tried to contain a resurgence of the coronavirus in the city over the past month.

About 3,800 people have been infected in Hong Kong since late January, 44 of whom have died. On Wednesday, 85 new cases were reported.

The government on Thursday said it was extending the work from home period for civil servants until Aug 16.

READ: COVID-19: Hong Kong backtracks on restaurant dining ban, to allow with restrictions

The city saw a surge in locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in July and introduced a raft of tightening measures, including restricting gatherings to two people, mandating face masks in all outdoor public spaces and banning in-house dining after 6pm until at least Aug 11.

A ban on face-to-face teaching at local schools has also been extended beyond Aug 17, with the academic year now due to start with online classes.

Pedestrians walk on a street in Kowloon City in Hong Kong on Aug 2, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Isaac Lawrence)

Chinese health officials started arriving in Hong Kong over the weekend, as part of a team that will carry out widespread COVID-19 testing in the city.

This marks the first time mainland health officials have assisted Hong Kong in its battle to control the epidemic.

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said that the city had asked for help from the central government due to the resurgence in cases.

READ: China sends team to Hong Kong to do widespread COVID-19 testing

Last week, she postponed the election for the Legislative Council, citing public health issues.

The poll would have been the city's first official vote since Beijing imposed a national security law to tackle what China broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with punishment of up to life in prison.

A man walks past bamboo scaffolding on a building in Kowloon City in Hong Kong on Aug 2, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Isaac Lawrence)

Electoral rules in Hong Kong only allow votes to be postponed for 14 days, but colonial-era laws give the government broad powers in case of threats to public safety.

In a statement on Sunday, the Hong Kong Bar Association said the electoral law was more recent and more specific when it comes to public health hazards at election time and "generally" should take precedence over older legislation.

Invoking emergency legislation to delay the scheduled vote "may turn out to be unlawful", it said.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-08-06 09:17:11Z
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Singapore reports 301 new COVID-19 cases, including 4 in the community - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 301 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Aug 6), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary daily update.

Four cases were in the community, consisting of three Singaporeans or permanent residents and one work pass holder, and there were four imported cases.

The remaining cases were linked to foreign worker dormitories, bringing the national total to 54,555 infections.

"Depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 at the remaining dormitories whose residents are being tested, the daily case counts may vary.

"We expect the number to remain volatile in the coming days, before tapering down thereafter as the Inter-agency Taskforce completes the dormitory clearance."

The ministry will provide more details later on Thursday.

UPDATED MAP: All the places that COVID-19 community cases visited while they were infectious

On Wednesday, Singapore recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 cases since May 1, with 908 new infections.

MOH attributed the high case number to the ongoing clearance of foreign worker dormitories, where residents were tested during their isolation/quarantine period, despite being asymptomatic.

"They are among the final batch of workers being cleared and they come from dormitories with a relatively high prevalence of COVID-19.

"Hence we expect the daily case counts to be high for the coming days, before tapering down thereafter as the inter-agency task force completes the dormitory clearance,” said MOH.

The ministry added that it is “on track” to clear all dormitories by Friday, “except for a few standalone blocks in the dormitories that serve as quarantine facilities”.

There are currently 9,700 workers in these quarantine facilities.

More than 300,000 migrant workers living in dormitories had been placed in lockdown in April as part of the Government’s strategy to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But uncertainties over their health, jobs and prolonged confinement have affected the mental state of many migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant worker advocacy groups said.

READ: COVID 19: No spike in number of migrant worker suicides, says MOM

In recent weeks, there have been questions about the state of workers’ mental health following at least three reports of unnatural deaths.

MOM said its Forward Assurance and Support Teams - public officers stationed at the dormitories – have stepped up efforts to “proactively look out for residents whom they assess may benefit from speaking to a mental health counsellor”.

“We have also worked with IMH to train and better equip frontline staff with the knowledge and skills to help workers who may require support,” it added.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-08-06 08:11:45Z
52780977998558

Singapore reports 301 new COVID-19 cases, including 4 in the community - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 301 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Aug 6), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary daily update.

Four cases were in the community, consisting of three Singaporeans or permanent residents and one work pass holder, and there were four imported cases.

The remaining cases were linked to foreign worker dormitories, bringing the national total to 54,555 infections.

"Depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 at the remaining dormitories whose residents are being tested, the daily case counts may vary.

"We expect the number to remain volatile in the coming days, before tapering down thereafter as the Inter-agency Taskforce completes the dormitory clearance."

The ministry will provide more details later on Thursday.

UPDATED MAP: All the places that COVID-19 community cases visited while they were infectious

On Wednesday, Singapore recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 cases since May 1, with 908 new infections.

MOH attributed the high case number to the ongoing clearance of foreign worker dormitories, where residents were tested during their isolation/quarantine period, despite being asymptomatic.

"They are among the final batch of workers being cleared and they come from dormitories with a relatively high prevalence of COVID-19.

"Hence we expect the daily case counts to be high for the coming days, before tapering down thereafter as the inter-agency task force completes the dormitory clearance,” said MOH.

The ministry added that it is “on track” to clear all dormitories by Friday, “except for a few standalone blocks in the dormitories that serve as quarantine facilities”.

There are currently 9,700 workers in these quarantine facilities.

More than 300,000 migrant workers living in dormitories had been placed in lockdown in April as part of the Government’s strategy to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But uncertainties over their health, jobs and prolonged confinement have affected the mental state of many migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant worker advocacy groups said.

READ: COVID 19: No spike in number of migrant worker suicides, says MOM

In recent weeks, there have been questions about the state of workers’ mental health following at least three reports of unnatural deaths.

“We have also worked with IMH to train and better equip frontline staff with the knowledge and skills to help workers who may require support,” it added.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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301 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore, including 4 in the community and 4 imported - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - There were 301 new coronavirus cases confirmed as of Thursday noon (Aug 6), taking Singapore's total to 54,555.

They included four community cases, comprising three Singaporeans or permanent residents and a work pass holder, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday.

There were also four imported cases who had been placed on stay-home notices upon arrival in Singapore.

Migrant workers living in dormitories made up the vast majority of the other cases.

More details will be announced on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, the Popular bookstore at Jurong Point was added to the list of public places visited by Covid-19 patients while they were still infectious.

According to MOH's update on Wednesday, the bookstore was visited by at least one Covid-19 case from 12.05pm to 2.30pm on July 26.

The ministry provides this list of locations that Covid-19 patients have visited for more than 30 minutes to get those who were at these places to monitor their health closely for two weeks from the date of their visit. It said that close contacts would already have been notified and that there is no need to avoid these places as they would have been cleaned if needed.

The full list can be found on MOH's website.

There were 908 new coronavirus cases confirmed on Wednesday, one of the highest number of daily cases recorded since cases exceeded 1,000 in April.

Among these, 903 were migrant workers in dormitories who were among the final batch of workers being cleared of the coronavirus, MOH said.

They came from dormitories with a relatively high prevalence of Covid-19 and were tested when they were already in isolation or in quarantine. Many were asymptomatic.

MOH added that all dormitories should be cleared by Friday, with the exception of a few blocks in dormitories that serve as quarantine facilities. These currently house about 9,700 workers in quarantine.

The remaining five cases announced on Wednesday were four imported patients and a case in the community.

MOH had said earlier on Wednesday that there were four cases in the community, but three were re-classified after contact tracing.

The sole community case was a 26-year-old Bangladeshi work permit holder who was picked up as a result of the ministry's proactive screening of those working in essential services. He was asymptomatic and was unlinked to known cases as of Wednesday. Further tests showed that he is no longer infectious and was likely to have been infected in the past.

All four imported cases announced on Wednesday arrived in Singapore from India on July 22 and were already serving mandatory stay-home notices at dedicated facilities when they were tested.

Three were dependant's pass holders - aged one, four and six. The last was a short-term visit pass holder, aged 63, whose application to enter Singapore was approved as she is an elderly woman whose family are Singapore residents, MOH said.

The average number of new daily community cases during a week has decreased from four cases two weeks ago to two in the past week. The average number of unlinked community cases per day has fallen from two to one over the same period.

Singapore has had 27 deaths from Covid-19 complications, while 15 who tested positive have died of other causes.

Globally, the virus outbreak, which began in December last year, has infected more than 18.9 million people. More than 710,200 people have died.

Blame for Beirut explosion begins with a leaky, troubled ship - TODAYonline

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Blame for Beirut explosion begins with a leaky, troubled ship TODAYonline
Trump hedges 'bomb' claim as US offers Lebanon aid after explosion CNA
Beirut blast: 'It was like an atomic bomb' The New Paper
The Beirut Explosions: It Sounded Like the World Was Breaking Open The New York Times
Lebanon was already facing multiple crises. Now this. The Washington Post
View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-08-06 03:05:35Z
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Kamis, 06 Agustus 2020

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