Singapore Hits 60th Covid‑19 Death as Cases Spike
On the night of Friday, the unvaccinated 90‑year‑old man’s journey ended, bringing Singapore’s Covid‑19 death toll to a new grim milestone – the 60th fatality. The Ministry of Health confirmed the heartbreaking loss on Saturday.
Case Numbers Surge
- New cases: 1,009 – the highest daily tally since 23 April of last year.
- Community spread: 926 instances among residents.
- Dormitory cases: 78 (though these are still a pale fraction of the total).
- Senior infections (60+): 259 – a reminder that age is a real risk factor.
- Imported cases: 5 – from overseas routes.
Hospital and ICU stats:
- Hospitalised patients: 863 (up from 813 the day prior).
- Patients needing oxygen: 105.
- Critical ICU cases: 18, with 100 seniors in the very‑ill cohort.
New Cluster Sparks Concern
In a twist of irony, Pfizer’s Asia‑Pacific office became the newest Covid cluster, accounting for 22 infections:
- Staff: 20.
- Cleaners: 2.
The MOH clarified that this branch isn’t involved in vaccine production, so the cluster likely stems from workplace socialising rather than the lab itself.
Total Infections Updated
Singapore’s cumulative case count has now reached 76,792.
All A&E Patients Are “Mild”? That’s a Problem.
Our Ministry of Health just realised that a whole bunch of Singapore’s public hospitals are being swamped with people who think a quick cough or run‑ny nose is a ticket to the emergency department. Normally, it’s the three‑armed bandit that runs out of meds and a mad nurse—yet if you’re only mildly sick, you’re better off somewhere else.
The Advice…
- Skip A&E if your symptoms are mild.
- Stop by a Swab and Send Home clinic and get a quick check‑in with a general practitioner.
- Those clinics will grab a swab, assess what you’re dealing with, and send you home with the right meds—no unnecessary alarms.
Why It Matters
Picture a crowded emergency wing, people squinting at their phones, waiting for treatment, while the real emergencies probably scratch themselves the more at home. When you take the mild cases straight to a Swab and Send Home clinic, you’re keeping the ER for the folks who truly need it.
This original piece was first printed in The Straits Times. If you want to reproduce it, you must get permission.
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