Changi Airport Lights Up the Covid-19 Cluster List
Singapore’s Changi Airport swooped into the spotlight as the largest active Covid‑19 cluster on the morning of Thursday, May 13, raking in 46 confirmed cases. The second‑biggest cluster—at Tan Tock Seng Hospital—followed closely with 44 linked cases.
Who’s on the Airport List?
Out of the 19 new airport‑related cases, most are staff members or their household companions. Here’s a snapshot of the latest names:
- A 52‑year‑old Bedok McDonald’s employee and a 20‑year‑old Temasek Polytechnic student, both sharing a home with a Ramky Cleantech Services worker who tested positive.
- A 44‑year‑old Gojek driver who dropped by Terminal 3 on May 6.
- A 44‑year‑old homemaker who frequently rolled into Terminal 3.
- A National Parks Board landscaper who won the Covid‑19 prize on May 8, plus his wife who tested positive on Tuesday.
The only new case that isn’t part of the Changi cluster is a 7‑year‑old pupil from Yio Chu Kang Primary. He’s a close contact of an Sengkang General Hospital nurse, who tested positive on Tuesday.
Community Numbers on the Rise
- New community cases climbed from 48 last week to 71.
- Unlinked community cases jumped from 7 to 15.
- Among the 24 new community infections, 10 carry the B1617 variant, originally spotted in India.
- Ten imported cases were put on stay‑home notice or isolated upon arrival, making the total number of confirmed cases 61,453.
There are now 11 active clusters in the country. The government has added Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, Bedok Point, and Yio Chu Kang ActiveSG Sports Hall to the list of sites visited by infected individuals while still contagious.
Track Your Appointments
For anyone curious whether you stepped into an infected hotspot, the SafeEntry Location Matching Self‑Check service is available through the TraceTogether app, SingPass Mobile, or a simple web visit. Check your SafeEntry logs to see if your timeline overlaps with those flagged locations.
Recovery & Hospital Updates
With 23 patients discharged on Thursday, a total of 61,014 people have fully recovered. Currently, 150 patients remain hospitalized—three of them critically ill in intensive care—and 243 are recuperating in community facilities.
The cumulative death toll stands at 31 from Covid‐related complications, with an additional 15 individuals who tested positive but passed away from unrelated causes.
What’s Next for the Airport?
Due to the surge, the authorities have announced a temporary closure of the Changi terminologies and Jewel for the public from May 13 to May 26. Keep an eye on your inbox for any updates.
— Original report from The Straits Times (Reproductions require permission).
