(Apr 20): The number of daily coronavirus cases in Singapore topped 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began, as an outbreak among migrant workers living in shared dormitories continued to surge.
The city-state recorded 1,426 new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of Covid-19 infections to more than 8000, according to a statement by the health ministry. Of the new cases, “the vast majority” are work permit holders living in foreign worker dormitories spread across the island, while 16 cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents, the ministry said.
The rising number of cases in these facilities, where more than 200,000 people live, has posed a challenge to Singapore’s containment strategy after accolades from health experts for its methodical virus response in the early days of the pandemic. While stringent social distancing measures have largely stabilized the spread in the wider community, the government has been looking for new ways to house workers who may be sharing living spaces with 10 or more people.
Singapore has converted military camps and vacant public housing into interim housing facilities for healthy workers. It is also considering the use of cruise ships to accommodate workers who have recovered from the coronavirus and tested negative.
