Covid-19 Clusters

The Safra Jurong Cluster was the earliest large cluster in 2020. The cluster was traced to a Chinese New Year private dinner held at Joy Garden in Safra Jurong on 15 February 2020. This dinner was attended by a Hokkien singing group.

According to Professor Kenneth Mak, Director of Medical Services of MOH: "So, it extends well beyond that particular dinner itself - they're coming together for karaoke classes, they're going out together, they're going on social activities together. So, that seems to be the common pattern with this particular cluster." (Source: The Straits Times, 10 March 2020)

Fast forward to 17 July 2021, the largest active cluster is KTV Lounges/Clubs Cluster with 148 infection cases linked to it. They did not learn from the previous lesson of 2020. KTV pivot to F&B establishments is what caused the latest infection outbreak because of few errant operators.

Now another cluster is brewing: the Jurong Fishery Port*/Hong Lim Market and Food Centre Cluster (19). Fishmongers from all wet markets must get tested for Covid-19 under the law.

Before all these, Singapore had major clusters such as:

1. Migrant Workers Dormitories Cluster 2. Changi Airport Cluster (108) 3. Blk 115 Bukit View Market & Food Centre Cluster (94) 4. Jem & Westgate Cluster (63) 5. Tan Tock Seng Hospital Cluster (48) 6. Learning Point (Tuition Centre) Cluster (32) 7. McDonald’s Delivery Riders Cluster (23)

Figures in brackets are numbers of infections linked to them.

Singapore seems to be fighting fires as new cluster of infection cases emerges. When we thought that we have a handle in taming the Covid-19 coronavirus, new scenarios sprang

up in different settings. Social distancing measures then get tightened or rolled back to tighter measures.

It is unfortunate that we as a nation cannot get our act together to ensure a safe Singapore.

* The Jurong Fishery Port Cluster had grown to 63 cases as at 18 July. This can potentially be a big cluster too.