SINGAPORE, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 942 new cases of COVID-19 infection as of Saturday noon, the highest daily increase so far, the Ministry of Health said.
This increase brings the city state's total confirmed cases to 5,992.
All the new cases are locally transmitted cases. Of the total, 22 cases were infected in the community, 14 of which are Singaporeans and permanent residents. Among those confirmed are also 27 Work Permit holders residing outside dormitories, and 893 Work Permit holders residing in dormitories.
To date, 740 people have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities. Of the 2,563 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. A total of 23 patients are in critical condition in the intensive care unit. The 2,678 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for the COVID-19 are isolated and cared for at community facilities. A total of 11 patients have passed away from complications due to the COVID-19 infection.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on Saturday that all work permit holders and S Pass holders in the construction will be placed on mandatory stay-home notices from April 20 to May 4.
The recent rise in the number of foreign workers infected with the COVID-19 has been mostly concentrated in dormitories. However, contact tracing suggests that transmissions at common construction worksites may have contributed to the increase in numbers, MOM explained in a press release.
