Singapore reports two Omicron infections plus 662 new COVID-19 cases

[ASEAN NOW News]

People wearing protective face masks cross the road at Church Street on Sep 6, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 662 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths linked to the coronavirus as of noon on Monday (Dec 6).

 

According to CNA, the fatalities were aged between 81 and 97. All had various underlying medical conditions.

 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) did not specify what these conditions were.

 

This brings Singapore's death toll from the coronavirus to 763.

 

Two imported cases who were reported as preliminarily positive for the Omicron variant on Dec 2 have been confirmed to be infected with the variant, said MOH.

 

The National Public Health Laboratory has completed whole genome sequencing for Cases 271487 and 271598 and confirmed their infection with Omicron, said the ministry.

 

Both cases are fully vaccinated and have "mild symptoms" of cough and scratchy throat, said MOH.

 

It added that both cases were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on Dec 1 and had not interacted in the community.

 

The overall intensive care unit (ICU) utilisation rate is 48 per cent, down from 51.2 per cent on Sunday.

 

No more daily press releases

 

MOH said it will stop issuing daily press releases on infection statistics from Tuesday, "as the current wave of Delta infections subsides".

 

The ministry will continue to update the same infection statistics on the MOH website on a daily basis.

 

These include the hospital capacity, status of COVID-19 patients, vaccination progress and number of cases.

 

MOH noted that one of the statistics being monitored is the week-on-week infection growth ratio.

 

"During the present wave of infection, we wanted to ensure that the ratio was below 1 before we eased any restrictions," said MOH."

 

 

MOH added that it will continue to update the public on "significant developments, including information on the Omicron variant", through regular media statements.