SINGAPORE - Eight new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday evening (March 7).
Among them are four who were part of the cluster involving a private dinner function at Joy Garden restaurant in Safra Jurong.
That cluster is now linked to 21 cases in total.
Another case is linked to the cluster at The Life Church and Missions Singapore in Paya Lebar Road, while two more are imported cases. One case is currently unlinked.
Meanwhile, MOH also said that another eight cases have been discharged.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases here to 138 to date, of which 90 have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.
MOH also said the cases in the cluster linked to the private dinner function at Safra Jurong involved singing activities and classes conducted by the People's Association (PA) at several community clubs (CCs) and residents' committees (RCs).
As a result, additional precautionary measures will be implemented from Saturday, including a 14-day suspension of all activities and classes attended by the confirmed cases at the affected CCs and RCs.
"These are mostly singing classes, but include a small number of other activities like line dancing and qigong," MOH said.
There will also be a 14-day suspension of all PA-organised singing classes at the affected CCs and RCs.
The affected venues are listed below:
- Bukit Batok CC
- Bukit Panjang CC
- Chua Chu Kang CC
- Jurong Green CC
- Keat Hong CC
- Nanyang CC
- Zhenghua CC
- Ayer Rajah Zone 3 RC
- Bukit Panjang Zone 4 RC
- Bukit Panjang Zone 6 RC
- Bukit Panjang Zone 7 RC
- Hong Kah North Zone 4 RC
- Nanyang Zone 4 RC
- Teck Ghee Zone J RC
- Yew Tee Zone 8 RC
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is MP in Ang Mo Kio GRC, said in a Facebook post on Saturday evening that one of Saturday's new confirmed cases was an active member in his district.
"One of the Covid-19 cases announced this evening regularly took part in group activities at Teck Ghee Residents' Committee Zone J," said PM Lee.
He said that MOH is conducting contact tracing and "needs to talk to all the members of this group in Zone J", and urged people to cooperate with them and share information fully if approached.
Mr Yee Chia Hsing, MP for the Nanyang ward in Chua Chu Kang GRC, told ST that singing classes have been suspended for two weeks for the safety of participants after a course trainer who teaches karaoke at multiple PA premises including Nanyang CC and Nanyang Zone 4 RC in his ward, was one of those affected in the Jurong Safra cluster.
"We have also informed the course participants to monitor their health condition and visit a doctor if unwell," he said, adding that an external cleaning contractor has been engaged to disinfect the affected premises.
Mr Yee also stressed the importance for people to stay at home if they are feeling unwell, and avoid social gatherings until they have fully recovered.
Bukit Panjang MP Teo Ho Pin said that the interest group activities that have been halted in his ward as part of the precautionary measures include brisk walking, dance fitness, zumba, taiji, qigong and karaoke, and added that efforts are underway to clean and disinfect the affected spaces.
A PA spokesman said the organisation was informed by MOH on Saturday about the links between some confirmed cases from the Safra Jurong cluster and activities at a few CCs and RCs.
Classes and activities attended by the confirmed cases have been suspended for two weeks from 5pm on Saturday for the safety and well-being of participants. "All other classes and activities will continue as planned," the spokesman said.
Other participants from the suspended courses have already been informed, and were advised to monitor their health and see a doctor if they are unwell.
The PA is also taking immediate action to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected rooms, along with other possible areas which might have been visited by the affected individuals, according National Environment Agency guidelines.
"We are working with MOH on contact tracing. PA is taking the necessary measures to ensure the continued safety of staff and our residents. Our premises remain open for activities," said the PA spokesman.
Saturday's figures follow the 13 cases that were confirmed on Friday - the biggest jump in a single day here so far.
