Singapore on Wednesday reported 451 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country's total count to 38,965, with a senior minister cautioning the people to stay disciplined and vigilant as the coronavirus is unlikely to go away.
The new cases include seven infections in the community.
Three of the community cases are Singapore citizens or permanent residents (foreigners), and four others are foreigners on work passes, the Ministry of Health said in its preliminary daily update.
The remainder of the new cases is work permit holders living in foreign worker dormitories.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore to 38,965.
Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong cautioned on Tuesday that Singaporeans must be prepared for a rise in COVID-19 cases as human contact increases following the end of the "circuit breaker" period.
This (increase in cases) has happened in many other places which exited from their lockdowns, and we must expect it to happen here too, said Wong.
The key is whether we can keep the community infection rates stable. If so, we can continue on the path of progressive easing.
He stressed that Singaporeans must stay disciplined and vigilant as COVID-19 is not likely to go away.
We have to be realistic and gird ourselves for more challenging times, he said in a televised address.
Singapore is increasing its testing capacity by procuring more test kits and building more laboratory facilities, as well as training and recruiting more laboratory technicians and people to carry out swabs and blood samples, Wong said.
