Singapore’s health ministry reported 1,939 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some COVID-19 measures has prompted Singapore to pause further reopening. More than 80% of its population has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Two unvaccinated Singaporean women, aged 97 and 69, have died of Covid-19 complications.
The 97-year-old died on Saturday (Sept 25) after testing positive on Sept 18, while the 69-year-old died on Friday after testing positive that day, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday.
The first woman had a history of hyperlipidaemia – or a high level of fats in the blood – and the second had a history of hypertension. Their deaths bring Singapore’s death toll from the coronavirus to 78.
The number of fatalities in September now stands at 23 – which exceeds the 18 deaths in August.
The local cases on Sunday comprised 1,536 in the community and 398 among dormitory residents. Among the local cases are 417 seniors who are above 60 years old.
The recent exponential rise in COVID-19 cases from end of August 2021 has put a strain on Singapore’s healthcare system. While the number of COVID-positive individuals who become severely ill – those requiring oxygen supplementation and intensive care unit (ICU) – remains within expectations, the number of individuals with mild symptoms has increased very rapidly.
Singapore will thus be tightening our community safe management measures until the healthcare and response capacity have stabilised.
