In a second wave of COVID-19 cases, Singapore late Thursday reported a record jump in coronavirus cases, with as many as 728 new cases being reported, which is the biggest rise in a single day, after which the country’s tally rose to 4,427, including 10 deaths.
While the country has initially controlled the first phase of the pandemic and, the government scrambled to control the spread in its later phase.
As per the government’s report, the number of new cases are maximum amongst the Work Permit holders residing in dormitories, which account for 90 percent of the cases.
Around 200,000 workers, mostly from South Asia, live in 43 dorms across the island, forming an essential part of the country’s work force. These are mainly construction workers, who earn around $400 to $500 a month, building the city-state’s skyscrapers and shopping malls.
Following criticism of poor living conditions in the dorms, the government swung into action, moving thousands of them to other accommodation — including a floating complex — in order to decongest the facilities and lessen the chances of infection.
The government is also providing meals and ramped-up cleaning services at quarantined dorms, and is helping run the facilities, which are usually privately operated.
Writing on Facebook this month, veteran Singapore diplomat Tommy Koh slammed “the disgraceful way” in which the foreign workers were being treated.
