(Eagle News) – Singapore now is the country in Southeast Asia with the most number of COVID-19 cases in the region after what can be seen as a second wave of infections.
It now has at least 9,125 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, April 22, from just 2,918 cases as of April 14, based on data from the Johns Hopkins University virus dashboard on COVID-19 cases.
In just a week’s time, the number of cases added were already more than 6,000.
The Philippines which last week topped Southeast Asian nations in terms of number of cases, became third after Indonesia which had 7,135 cases as of Tuesday.
As of April 22, the Philippines had 6,710 cases with 446 deaths, while Indonesia had 616 COVID-19 related deaths as of April 21.
But Singapore maintained its low death toll at 11.
Among the other ASEAN member countries, Malaysia and Thailand also reported cases in the thousands. Malaysia had 5,482 cases with 92 deaths, while Thailand had 2,811 cases with 48 deaths.
Four ASEAN countries – Vietnam with 268 cases, Cambodia with 122 cases, Timor Leste with 23 cases, and Laos with 19 cases – still had no reported COVID-19 fatalities.
Myanmar and Brunei had more than a hundred cases, and a few deaths. Brunei had 138 COVID-19 cases and 1 death, while Myanmar had 121 cases and five deaths.
-Singapore extends restrictions until June 1-
Meanwhile, because of the record-jump in cases, Singapore has expanded restrictions on COVID-19 until early June.
The city-state managed to keep its outbreak in check in the early stages due to widespread testing and contact-tracing, but is facing a fast-moving second wave of infections.
Health authorities reported 1,111 cases Tuesday taking the total to 9,125, with the vast majority of new infections in foreign worker dormitories, which have become the epicentre of the city’s outbreak.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that restrictions — which include closures of businesses and schools, and asking people to stay home — would be extended to June 1.
They were imposed at the start of April and had originally been due to end on May 4.
“Many will be disappointed by the extension,” said Lee in a televised address, acknowledging that businesses and workers were “hurting greatly”.
“But I hope you understand that this short-term pain is to stamp out the virus, protect the health and safety of our loved ones, and allow us to revive our economy.”
Authorities also said that restrictions would be tightened, with the number of people still working in services deemed essential to be reduced, and people asked to exercise outside alone.
Previously, families living in the same household were allowed to exercise outside in groups.
Cases have surged since authorities started carrying out testing of foreign workers in the dorms, many of whom are construction workers from South Asia.
In a bid to reduce the chances of infection, thousands of them have been moved to alternative accommodation such as vacant apartment blocks, while several dorms have been quarantined.
Lee said Tuesday that further steps would be taken to help migrant workers in dorms, including deploying more medical personnel.
“To our migrant workers, let me emphasise again: we will care for you, just like we care for Singaporeans,” he said.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)