Singapore’s Latest COVID‑19 Cluster Spills Out From the Airport
In an episode that reminds us why we’re still gotta practice mask‑watching, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that four new community cases on Sunday (May 9) are linked to the Changi Airport Terminal 3 crew. They’re all part of a ripple set off by an 88‑year‑old cleaner who tested positive last Wednesday.
Changi Airport Terminal 3 – The Workforce
- 51‑year‑old cleaner (Ramky Cleantech Services) – She’s a work‑permit holder who ran a routine test early May. The first result was inconclusive, so she was checked again and the result turned negative. But later that week she worked, cough and headache started popping up, and a second test on Saturday confirmed it – B1617 variant. She was taken to Gleneagles by ambulance.
- 57‑year‑old auxiliary police officer (Certis Cisco) – This crowd‑control champ started showing symptoms Friday, didn’t go to work after that, and tested positive on Saturday. Again, B1617 variant, two vaccine doses already under his belt.
- 63‑year‑old trolley handler (Ramky Cleantech Services) – A regular at the tuck‑socks station who noticed a sore throat a Monday and cough by Thursday but didn’t get help until a Saturday GP visit. He was linked back to the 88‑year‑old cleaner, went into quarantine, and later an ambulance whisked him to Sengkang General Hospital.
- 66‑year‑old passenger escort (SATS) – The “ground‑support” guy who nudged travellers to their planes had a runny nose and sore throat Saturday. He tested positive Sunday, awaiting serology but fully vaccinated.
All four hail from the Terminal 3 crew, making the cluster’s total at this airport 8 people.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital – Ward 9D Incident
- Two male ward patients: a 52‑year‑old and a 90‑year‑old. Both were discharged, but tested positive during quarantine.
- One female ward patient: a 78‑year‑old, also discharged and positive in the community.
That brings the cluster to 43 confirmed cases.
Unlinked Community Cases
- Grab driver (38) – Fever & cough May 7, positive May 8; B1617 variant.
- Risk assessment officer (Lendlease, 40)
- National Parks Board landscaper (47)
These three slipped through without any identified links.
Current Numbers & Outlook
- New community cases: 39 (down from 50 the week before)
- Unlinked community cases: 13 (up from 10)
- Imported cases: 18 (total now 61,359)
- Discharges: 21 (overall recoveries 60,918)
- Hospitalised patients: 133 (2 critical, 131 in wards)
- Community facilities: 262
- Deaths: 31 from COVID complications, 15 from other causes
All told, Singapore still keeps a tight grip on the spread, but every cluster reminds us that the frontline crew— from cleaners to escort officers—remains a battleground in the fight against the B1617‑spiked variant.
