Singapore Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 13 December 2020

Singapore Situation summary  As of 13 December 2020, there have been a total of 58 320 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore.  In the past week, o No new deaths were reported. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Singapore remains at 29. The case fatality rate remains at 0.05%. o Sixty new cases were reported, a 27.7% decrease compared to the previous week. Of the new cases reported, one is linked to foreign workers living in dormitories, while 59 are imported.

Upcoming events and priorities  The Manpower Ministry’s Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group will engage stakeholders on migrant workers’ welfare in dormitories. ACE has deployed the Forward Assurance and Support Teams (FAST) to work with dormitory operators for a quick response to workers’ essential needs. ACE is working with partners to issue new housing standards for migrant workers. These standards are being piloted at the new Quick Build Dormitories, which provide short- to medium-term housing. Each resident will have 6 m2 of living space compared with the earlier 4.5 m2.  The national TraceTogether contact tracing app has an adoption rate of more than 60%. A 70% adoption rate is required to move into Phase 3 of the national reopening plan. One of the reasons for low adoption is battery drain on mobile phones.  The Islamic Religious Council for Singapore (MUIS) has approved the administration of COVID-19 vaccines among the Muslim population. National transmission assessment

At the national level, Singapore remains in Stage 2, localized community transmission. There has been an increase in the number of reported cases this week, with 60 cases reported in the last seven days compared to 47 cases reported a week prior. However, among the 60 reported cases, only one case was locally transmitted from the dormitories and none from the community. No death was reported this week. As of 24 November, there are no active COVID-19 clusters. The government has announced that Phase 3 of the national reopening plan will commence on 28 December. At that time, more restrictions will be relaxed, and borders will be reopened for travellers from selected countries.

EPI Update Tests Cases Deaths ICU COVID-19 29 0821 Data reported for 60 0 0% Tests between EPI week ending New cases in the Deaths in the ICU utilization rate 26 October and 13 December past 7 days past 7 days in the past 7 days 2 November 2020 2020 unless (-27.7%) (-100.0%) (-) (-2.4%) stated otherwise (% difference 1500 compared to the 1 247 58 320 29 ICU beds for COVID-19 previous 7 days) Cumulative cases Cumulative 2020 deaths patients

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1 Singapore Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 13 December 2020

Cumulative unique individuals tested 0.05% as of 2 November Case fatality rate 4.8% Positivity rate Imported 59 0 0 NA cases and Active clusters Active clusters with (98.3%) (0%) more than three clusters Imported cases Cases in the past 7 generations in the past 7 days days with no link

Epidemiology Fig 1. Daily reported COVID-19 cases, Singapore, as of 13 December 2020

Strategic approach

Testing and surveillance  Residents staying in hostels at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design will be offered a one-time free COVID-19 test in January.  Effective 18 December at 23:59, travellers with a history of travel to Hong Kong SAR (China) will be required to take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours before departure and present a negative result for approval to enter Singapore.

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2 Singapore Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 13 December 2020

Non-pharmaceutical interventions  Effective 11 December, for Friday prayers, five across Singapore will each offer 250 spaces. Each will offer five prayer zones consisting of 50 people per zone. The five mosques are Masjid Al-Islah in Punggol, Masjid Al-Istighfar in Pasir Ris, Masjid Darul Ghufran in , Masjid Assyafaah in Admiralty and Masjid Al-Khair in Choa Chu Kang.  Under a short pilot scheme, a small number of nightlife establishments will be allowed to reopen from December 2020. Participating venues will require surveillance cameras to be fixed in all common areas and rooms on the premises. Customers must also wear masks when singing or on the dance floor. Alcohol will not be sold, served or consumed after 22:30. The pilot will run for two months. For karaoke lounges and nightclubs, customers must test negative for COVID-19 up to 24 hours before entry into the venues. This pilot will run from January 2021 and will last for approximately three months.  Effective 13 December at 23:59, all travellers entering Singapore with a travel history in the past 14 days to Hong Kong SAR (China) will be required to serve a 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities.  Effective 18 December, travellers who have been in Taiwan, China for the past 14 consecutive days may apply for a single-entry Air Travel Pass (ATP) to enter Singapore. Upon arrival, all travellers will undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test and will be allowed to enter upon a negative test result. Such measures will be used in lieu of a seven-day stay-home notice.  The upcoming Thaipusam festival, scheduled for 28 January 2021, will go ahead as planned. However, there will be no foot processions between Sri Srinivasa and Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road. Additionally, devotees will not be allowed to carry any forms of kavadi. Devotees will be required to pre-book their timeslots for entry into temples to make offerings or pray.

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