Three new COVID-19 cluster forms as Singapore reports record high 1,504 cases

Maple Bear Preschool at Orchard Road was identified as a new COVID-19 cluster on Thursday (Sep 23) by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

There were three new cases linked to the cluster, bringing its total number of cases to 12. Eight of those infected were students, three were staff, while one was a household member of the case. 

Two dormitories were also identified as new COVID-19 clusters on Thursday. 

Six new cases were linked to the Bukit Batok Road/Plantation Crescent dormitory, which now has a total of 23 cases. 

There were also seven new cases linked to the Tampines Dormitory, bringing the total number of cases in the cluster to 26.

The infections in both dormitories were a result of intra-dormitory transmission among residents, and there is no evidence of spread beyond the dormitory. MOH identified the cases in the two dormitory clusters through testing operations. 

On Thursday, Singapore reported a record high of 1,504 new local COVID-19 infections, the highest daily total since the pandemic began early last year. 

Of the new local COVID-19 infections on Thursday, 584 of those infected were between ages 12 and 39. 

Two deaths were also reported on Thursday, bringing Singapore’s COVID-19 death toll to 70.

The first, known as Case 78524, is a 93-year-old Singaporean woman who was not vaccinated against COVID-19. She tested positive for COVID-19 on Sep 17 and had a history of heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

The second, Case 85278, is a 71-year-old Singaporean woman who was also unvaccinated and had a history of cancer. She tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and passed away on the same day. 

There were also 13 imported cases who were placed either on Stay-Home Notice or in isolation upon arrival in Singapore.