Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates on Covid-19: https://t.me/mothershipsg
The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that 47 new cases have been confirmed as of March 21, 12pm.
This brings the total number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore to 432.
39 cases are imported cases.
This continued a trend, with imported cases making up a majority of new confirmed cases in Singapore on March 20, March 19, March 18, March 17, March 16 and March 15.
Earlier this morning, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed Singapore’s first two Covid-19 deaths.
Both of these individuals had underlying health conditions, he said in a brief announcement to media, while urging Singaporeans to "take courage and not give in to our fears".
The first Covid-19 victim is a 75-year-old female Singaporean who spent 26 days in the ICU.
The second Covid-19 victim is a 64-year-old male Indonesian national who spent nine days in the ICU.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent his deepest condolences to the family of the victims, adding that Singapore must “brace ourselves for more losses”.
47 new cases
Of these 47 cases, 39 are imported cases.
Most of them (33) are returning Singapore residents or long term pass holders, while six were short-term visitors.
To date, a total of 140 cases have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospitals.
Of the remaining 290 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving.
14 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Here are the details:
Photo via MOH
Photo via MOH
Photo via MOH
Photo via MOH
Surge in imported cases
There has been a surge of imported cases in Singapore over the past few days as the spread of Covid-19 expands worldwide.
Among the new cases reported on March 19, 20 and 21, a significant number of infected patients have returned from the United Kingdom.
With the rise in number of Covid-19 cases, Singaporeans are urged not to be complacent as the MTF committee urged public areas to enhance more safe distancing measures and introduced a nationwide contact tracing app on March 20.
Large group events that have 250 attendees or more and senior-related activities have been suspended.
Helping overseas Singaporeans to get back home
On March 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also urged overseas Singaporean students to come back to Singapore due to frequent flight cancellations across the world.
The Singapore High Commission in London is also working with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to help Singaporeans and PRs who wish to travel back to Singapore from March 19 to March 31.
Top photo via Changi Airport video, Julia Yeo