SINGAPORE: Twelve new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Singapore on Wednesday (Mar 11), including eight imported cases and one linked to the SAFRA Jurong cluster. 

One is linked to an imported case while the remaining two cases are still unlinked, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a daily update.

The latest confirmed cases bring Singapore’s total to 178.  

Among the new imported cases, three are Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) servicemen who had been stationed in France.

There are now 40 cases in the SAFRA Jurong cluster – the biggest COVID-19 cluster announced in Singapore since the outbreak began.

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Three more patients have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospital as of Wednesday, said MOH.

Most of the 82 remaining in hospital are in stable condition or improving. Nine are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Explore our interactive: All the COVID-19 cases in Singapore and the clusters and links between them

NEW CASES

Cases 167 and 178

Case 178 is an imported case involving a 37-year-old male Filipino national who is a Singapore Work Pass holder. 

He had been in the Philippines from 11 February to 19 February, and again from 23 February to 2 March to visit a relative with pneumonia who has since passed on. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 11 March morning, and is currently warded in an isolation room at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH). 

He is a family member of Case 167.

Case 167 is a 35-year-old female Filipino national who is a Singapore Work Pass holder, and is a family member of Case 178. She had been in the Philippines from 11 February to 17 February. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NTFGH.

She reported onset of symptoms on 8 March and had sought treatment at NTFGH on 9 March. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on 10 March afternoon.

She is employed as a staff nurse at NTFGH and had been at work prior to hospital admission. She lives at Jurong East Street 21.

Case 168

Case 168 is a 47-year-old Singaporean man with no recent travel history to affected countries and regions. 

He reported onset of symptoms on Mar 1 and sought treatment at two GP clinics on Mar 2, Mar 5 and Mar 8. He was referred to Sengkang Hospital (SKH) emergency department on Mar 8. 

The case was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Mar 10 and is currently warded at SKH. 

Prior to admission he mostly stayed at home at Rivervale Street. 

Case 169

The case is a 40-year-old Singaporean RSAF serviceman. 

He is a close contact of cases 165, 173 and 175, and is one of the imported cases who had been in France on official duty. He was in France from Feb 13 to Mar 7. 

The man reported onset of symptoms on Mar 9 and went to the emergency department of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) on Mar 10. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 that afternoon. MOH said the man did not go to work upon returning to Singapore. 

Prior to hospital admission, he had gone to the Health Promotion Board for an unrelated matter. He lives at Yishun Street 81. 

Case 170

The case is a 56-year-old Indonesian woman, believed to be an imported case. 

She reported onset of symptoms while in Indonesia on Mar 6. She arrived in Singapore on Mar 9 and went to the Singapore General Hospital. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Mar 10 afternoon. 

She is a family member of case 152.

Case 171

Case 171 is a 27-year-old Singaporean man who is believed to be an imported case. 

He was in France from Feb 25 to Mar 1 and Spain from Mar 1 to Mar 6. 

He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

Case 172

The case is a 42-year-old Filipino national, who was in the Philippines from Feb 27 to Mar 2. 

She was confirmed to have COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at NCID. 

Case 173

Case 173 is 31 years old and is among the RSAF servicemen who had been in France on official duty. The other cases are 165, 169 and 175. 

He was in France from Feb 15 to Mar 7, and did not go to work upon his return to Singapore. 

He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at NCID. 

Case 174

The case is a 67-year-old Singaporean woman with no recent travel history to the affected countries and regions. 

She is linked to the SAFRA Jurong cluster involving a dinner function at Joy Garden Restaurant on Feb 15. 

She was confirmed to have COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at NCID. 

Case 175

The case is a 44-year-old Singaporean man, a RSAF servicemen who is a contact of cases 165, 169 and 173, who had all been in France on official duty. 

The case was in France from Feb 15 to Mar 7. He did not go to work upon returning to Singapore.

He is warded at NCID. 

Case 176

The case is a 37-year-old British national who was in Japan from Feb 24 to Mar 4 and the United Kingdom from Mar 4 to Mar 8.

She is an imported case. 

She was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at NCID. 

Case 177

The case is a 26-year-old Singaporean man, also said to be an imported case. 

He was in the United States from Feb 14 to Feb 24, the UK from Feb 28 to Mar 1 and France from Mar 2 to Mar 7. 

He was confirmed to have COVID-19 on the morning of Mar 11 and is warded at NCID. 

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES BEING CONSIDERED

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Tuesday said Singapore has to shift its approach towards containing COVID-19 within the country, as the virus spreads worldwide and border controls become less relevant and effective in the future.

READ: Singapore to shift approach, ‘double down’ on COVID-19 measures within country: Lawrence Wong

“We will look at the whole range of social distancing measures,” he said.

The Ministry of Health also announced a two-week suspension of senior-centric activities by government agencies. 

These include activities held at community clubs (CCs), residents’ committees (RCs), senior activity centres, active aging hubs, CREST centres and ActiveSG sport centres.

READ: Senior-centric activities by government agencies to be suspended as part of additional COVID-19 measures: MOH

Measures for large-scale events may also be tightened and Mr Wong acknowledged that religious services may be affected if the attendee threshold is lowered to 500.

When asked if the upcoming March holidays will be affected, Mr Wong said there are no plans to extend school holidays, but he also did not rule out school closures in the future.

“If there are social distancing measures we put in place that will impact Singaporeans, we will provide lead time. So certainly, school closures is one thing that impacts many people. We will have to provide lead time. We can’t just do it overnight.”

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SINGAPORE: Observers of the Qing Ming festival are advised to “exercise socially responsible behavior” in light of the COVID-19 situation, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Wednesday (Mar 11).

The Qing Ming festival will take place on Apr 4 and is expected to have a peak period between Mar 21 and Apr 19.

“Those who feel unwell or are sick should stay at home and see a doctor and avoid visiting during the Qing Ming peak periods as crowds are expected at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and the government columbaria,” NEA said.

“For visitors to our facilities, members of the public are reminded to keep themselves and others around them safe by observing good hygiene habits, such as binning their litter and keeping our shared spaces clean.”

READ: Many local COVID-19 cases due to ‘socially irresponsible’ behaviour of a few: Health Minister

During the festival, religious activities such as the burning of joss paper are expected to increase, NEA said. Practices like this should be done in a “considerate manner” and observers should keep the environment clean.

The authority also cautioned people about potential fire hazards.

“Members of the public are advised to use burners and containers for the burning of joss paper to minimise flying ashes and keeping the environment clean,” NEA said.

“(They are also) encouraged to burn joss paper in small quantities to minimise smoke emission and avoid creating fire hazards such as leaving lighted candles and matches unattended, in view of the ongoing warm and dry weather.”

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS 

NEA said traffic arrangements will be made to cope with the expected congestion at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria.

Crowds are expected to peak at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang during the Qing Ming festival on Apr 4, Good Friday and the weekends within Mar 21 and Apr 19.

“Members of the public who wish to avoid the crowds and traffic congestion are encouraged to avoid visiting in the mornings of these peak periods,” NEA said.

“The crowds at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are expected to be larger this year as we expect more next-of-kin to visit given that niche occupancy at the columbarium has continued to grow.” 

To facilitate visitors to the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium, a new shuttle bus service between NEA’s Claims and Registration office and the columbarium will be introduced. Each trip will cost S$1 and the service will operate at 15-minute intervals between 7am and 5pm on Mar 21, 22, 28, 29 and Apr 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19.

For drivers, there will be temporary car park lots at Path 9 Chinese Cemetery during the Qing Ming period.

Alternatively, drivers can park along the left-hand side of the cemetery paths at the burial blocks opposite the columbarium. Drivers are advised to park in a considerate manner to help with traffic flow.

At Mandai, there will also be a shuttle bus service between Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and the rear entrance of Mandai Columbarium along Mandai Avenue. Each trip will cost S$1.40 and the service will operate at 15-minute intervals between 7am and 5pm on Mar 21, 22, 28, 29 and Apr 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19.

Drivers are encouraged to park near Khabit MRT as there will be limited lots at the basement carpark of Mandai Crematorium Block.

“We seek visitors’ understanding that the limited lots at the basement carpark of Mandai Crematorium Block will only be opened to those attending cremation services during this period,” NEA said.

GRAVE MAINTENANCE

NEA also reminded people that third-party grave maintenance services are not regulated by the authority.

“Members of the public may be approached by persons at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery for payment of grave maintenance service fees,” said the authority.

“These services are not regulated nor endorsed by NEA. Next-of-kin who have not made prior private arrangements for such services are advised not to pay anyone who claims to have maintained the graves of their loved ones.

“NEA has reminded these third-party grave maintenance service providers not to engage in any illegal activities such as touting, extortion, harassment and cheating.”

SINGAPORE: Workplace fatalities last year fell to the lowest since 2004, but the rate of injuries climbed to a five-year high, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) 2019 report released on Wednesday (Mar 11) showed.

There were 39 fatalities last year, or 1.1 deaths for every 100,000 workers, a dip from 41 fatalities and a rate of 1.2 in 2018. 

Collapse or failure of structure and equipment, vehicular-related incidents and falls from height dominated the top three causes of fatal injuries, with seven cases in each category. 

The construction industry recorded the highest number of deaths (13 cases), followed by the transportation and storage industry (eight cases).

MANUFACTURING HAD MOST MAJOR INJURIES 

The number of major injuries in the workplace totalled 629 in 2019, an increase of 33 cases from 2018. Last year’s rate hit 18.1 per 100,000 workers, the highest since 2014 when the rate was 20 per 100,000 workers. 

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) defines major injuries as those which result in a loss of a body part, some body function or requiring at least 20 days of medical leave. 

The top causes of major injuries are slips, trips and falls – particularly among construction workers (25 cases), drivers (23 cases) and cleaners (19 cases) – and machinery-related incidents. 

The manufacturing industry had the highest number of workplace major injuries with 137 cases followed by the construction, transportation and storage industries with 121 and 57 workplace major injuries respectively, the report said. 

These industries collectively accounted for 50 per cent, or 315 cases, of all workplace major injuries in 2019. 

MINOR INJURIES ROSE

The number of workplace minor injuries rose from 12,173 cases, or a rate of 35.5 per 100,000 workers in 2018, to 13,111 cases, or a rate of 37.7, in 2019. Last year’s rate was the highest since 2014.

MOM defines minor injuries as those which are non-severe where an employee is given more than three days of medical leave or hospitalised for at least 24 hours.

The main causes of minor injuries are slips, trips and falls, machinery-related incidents and being struck by moving objects. 

The manufacturing industry had the highest number of minor injury cases at 2,653 in 2019, followed by the construction, accommodation and food services industries with 1,981 and 1,265 cases respectively, the report said.

These industries together accounted for 45 per cent, or 5,899 cases, of all workplace minor injuries last year. 

The number of dangerous occurrences – defined as incidents with the highest potential for multiple fatalities – fell slightly from 23 cases in 2018 to 21 in 2019, the lowest documented since 2011. 

Among the 21 cases, 13 were due to a collapse or failure of structure and equipment, eight of which were crane-related. The remaining eight cases were because of fire and explosions.

BOOSTING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY STANDARDS

The construction industry remained the top contributor of workplace fatalities at 13 cases last year. 

MOM noted that the fatal injury rate of construction workers fell by nearly half after they accrue three or more years of experience.  

“It suggests to us that we need to tell all the contractors: ‘Please retain your experienced workers,’” an MOM spokesperson said at a media briefing on Tuesday ahead of the release of the report. “They are more expensive, but they know the worksite better, they are better at anticipating, spotting, identifying risks and better at averting accidents.” 

If contractors have to bring in new workers – which is inevitable given that construction output is expected to ramp up in the next few years – companies have to “up their level of safety awareness”, he said.

To boost safety standards among construction players, MOM will work with training providers to include an experiential component to the mandatory construction safety orientation training course by 2022. Currently, the course is “largely classroom-based”, the spokesperson said. 

READ: Construction safety school set up amid rise in workplace injuries

VIGILANCE NEEDED IN TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE

While the number of deaths in the manufacturing industry remained at four, the number of major injuries spiked from 123 to 137 in 2019, the highest among all industries. 

MOM also said in a press release that greater vigilance is necessary among transportation and storage firms, as fatalities doubled to eight cases while major injuries rose from 49 to 57 cases. 

MAJOR INJURIES RISING IN MEDIUM-RISK INDUSTRIES  

There were eight workplace fatalities in industries such as the wholesale and retail trade, and real estate services. 

MOM said that the number of major injuries has also crept up in these low to medium-risk industries. For example, in the accommodation and food services industry, there were 54 cases in 2019, up from 37 in 2018. Slips, trips and falls were the primary cause. 

Given the rise, the ministry said it will focus on inspecting the industries where major injuries have grown. Inspectors previously focused on higher-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, marine, and transportation and storage. 

Cleaners will have to undergo compulsory workplace safety training from 2022, the ministry pointed out, which should reduce the number of accidents arising from slips and falls. 

READ: Cleaners to undergo compulsory workplace safety training from 2022

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

In 2019, the ministry conducted 17,000 inspections and uncovered more than 8,900 contraventions, it said. 

MOM issued 58 stop-work orders that had an average duration of six weeks, and collected S$1.4 million worth of fines from close to 1,000 companies. 

With amendments to the Work Injury Compensation Act taking effect in September this year, the ministry said it believes that workplace safety standards will improve. 

READ: MPs call for better treatment of injured migrant workers as amended work injury law passed

For one, MOM will share the employers’ claims history to approved insurers to encourage companies to improve their safety records. 

Using the data now readily available, insurers may charge employers with good safety records with lower premiums and those with poor safety records with higher ones. 

The ministry previously announced that it aims to reduce the country’s fatality rate to below 1.0 and the major injury rate to less than 12.0 by 2028.