COVID-19: Singapore gazettes two foreign-worker dorms as isolation areas

A brief data released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that the republic has reported 120 new cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak started here four months ago. - Filepic/REUTERS

SINGAPORE: Singapore today gazetted two foreign worker dormitories - S11@Punggol and Westlite Toh Guan - as isolation areas as the COVID-19 situation at the place is fast evolving.

A brief data released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that the republic has reported 120 new cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak started here four months ago, bringing the tally to 1,309.

Speaking at a virtual COVID-19 multi-ministry task force press conference, Associate Professor Kenneth Mak, director of medical services at MOH, said S11@Punggol has 22 new cases and Westlite Toh Guan has 10 new cases.

A significant number of confirmed cases are linked to S11@ Punggol with 62 cases while 28 to Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, he said.

Meanwhile, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said further safe distancing measures at all other dormitories will be implemented.

Teo said that S11@Punggol alone housed about 13,000 workers while Westlite Toh Guan about 6,800.

She said more measures would be taken at all dormitories with the aim of ensuring the health and well-being of everyone.

"Not just Singapore citizens, but also foreign workers who are here, helping our economy, and their employers.

"They are also a part of the essential workforce which we would need when business activities restart. We want to give foreign workers the assurance that these measures are taken in their interests, and their well- being," she said.

All of 19,800 workers have been placed under quarantine for the next 14 days, she said.

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Kes COVID-19 di Malaysia masih mendatar

Dr Noor Hisham berkata contoh peningkatan mendadak adalah seperti di Amerika Syarikat di mana dalam satu hari ada 25,000 kes positif COVID-19. - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Peningkatan kes COVID-19 di Malaysia tidak naik secara mendadak, sebaliknya peningkatan kes baharu disebabkan aktiviti pengesanan aktif di tiga kawasan yang dikenakan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD).

Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, berkata pada masa ini kes positif COVID-19 yang dikesan di Malaysia adalah pada kadar tujuh hingga lapan peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan ujian pengesahan yang dijalankan.

"Peningkatan mendadak yang saya maksudkan ialah tiba-tiba dapat 1,000 kes atau 2,000 kes di Malaysia dalam sehari. Setakat ini baik. Data masih lagi mendatar belum lagi naik secara mendadak," katanya kepada pemberita pada sidang media harian COVID-19, di sini, pada Ahad.

Beliau berkata contoh peningkatan mendadak adalah seperti di Amerika Syarikat di mana dalam satu hari ada 25,000 kes positif COVID-19.

"Macam mana Malaysia hendak urus 25,000 kes. Hospital kita pun tak cukup tempat. Ini masalahnya bila kes meningkat secara mendadak," tambah beliau.

Tiga kawasan PKPD ialah dua kampung di Simpang Renggam, Kluang, Johor dan kawasan di Batu 21 hingga Batu 24 Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat, Selangor dan Menara City One di Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur.

Jadi dasar Malaysia dalam mengawal penularan COVID-19 adalah melaksanakan PKP dengan bertujuan menyekat jangkitan tempatan dan memastikan mereka dari luar negara dikuarantin dan meningkatkan pengesanan kes secara aktif, katanya.

Mengenai kluster perhimpunan tabligh di Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, dari 28 Feb hingga 1 Mac lalu, beliau berkata pihaknya percaya sebilangan peserta perhimpunan itu kini mungkin berada di luar negara seperti di Sulawesi, Indonesia, India dan Pakistan.

"Apabila mereka pulang, kami memerlukan kerjasama polis dan Jabatan Imigresen supaya mereka tampil untuk melakukan ujian bagi mengelak mereka menjangkiti orang lain." katanya.

Sehingga ini, sampel ujian diambil dari kluster Sri Petaling berjumlah 17,012 dengan 1,591 didapati positif, 10,912 negatif manakala 4,500 sampel masih menunggu keputusan.

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) memaklumkan sebanyak 179 kes baharu dilaporkan hari ini, menjadikan jumlah sebanyak 3,662 kes dengan 61 kematian.

-- BERNAMA

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