The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday (April 15) reported 447 new cases of Covid-19 infection in Singapore, bringing the total number of cases here to 3,699.

Of the 447 new cases, 38 are locally transmitted. There were again no imported cases.

Among the new local cases, 68 per cent are linked to existing clusters, while a further 32 per cent of the cases, 143, are yet unlinked.

There are also four new clusters:

• 10 Kian Teck Crescent dorm
• Kian Teck Dorm (26 Kian Teck Avenue)
• 234A Balestier Road
• Mandai Lodge (460 Mandai Road)

A majority of the new linked cases announced were work permit holders living in dormitories, similar to the previous few days.

Another 38 cases are locally linked.

Steep, continual increase over the past seven days

It has been more than a week of Singapore seeing a sustained daily three-digit jump in the total number of Covid-19 cases reported.

The MOH reported the following numbers of cases each day since April 7:

• 106 cases on April 7
• 142 cases on April 8
• 287 cases on April 9
• 198 cases on April 10
• 191 cases on April 11
• 233 cases on April 12
• 386 cases on April 13
• 334 cases on April 14, and
• 447 cases on April 15 (Wednesday).

MOM's strategy to curb rise in foreign worker dormitory cluster cases

In response to the rapidly-rising numbers of cases emerging from foreign worker dormitories, Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo shared three strategies her ministry is taking to tackle the crisis:

1. Locking down dormitories where clusters have emerged

2. Taking steps to prevent clusters from forming in non-affected dormitories, and

3. moving workers in essential services to separate facilities.

Mask-wearing now compulsory for all

One of the most major recent developments in the outbreak in Singapore saw co-chair of the Covid-19 Multi-Ministry Taskforce Lawrence Wong, announced in a press conference on Tuesday (April 14) that it is now compulsory for Singaporeans to wear masks the moment they leave their houses.

First-time offenders who do not abide by this rule will be slapped with a S$300 fine, while repeat offenders will be fined S$1,000 and face possible prosecution.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who co-chairs the taskforce, added that the measure will be subject to review, and may “well continue” after the circuit breaker period ends.

article source: https://mothership.sg/2020/04/covid-19-april-15-update/