Singapore reports 408 new Coronavirus cases a day before lifting circuit breaker period

Singapore reported 408 new coronavirus cases on Monday, a day before virus restrictions are to be eased, taking total number of COVID-19 infections in country to 35,292 with 23 deaths.

All new cases are foreign work permit holders residing in packed dormitories that have emerged as major coronavirus hot-spots.

Based on investigations, re are cases in community, health ministry said in its preliminary daily update.

Singapore's "circuit breaker" period will end on Monday, with measures to be progressively lifted in three phases starting next day.

Under Phase 1 of reopening, businesses that operate in settings with lower transmission risks will be allowed to resume, subject to safe distancing guidelines, Channel News Asia reported.

Phase 2 could start by end of June if number of COVID-19 transmissions in community (areas or than hot-spots) remains low and stable, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong.

Singapore has 313 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, eight of whom are in critical condition in intensive care units, while 12,841 patients are lodged in community facilities with mild symptoms.

ministry said 21,699 cases have been discharged from hospitals so far while 23 have died due to coronavirus complications.

Meanwhile, a survey reported that two in three working Singaporeans do t have savings to last m beyond six months if y lose ir jobs w.

An Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation survey conducted last month during circuit breaker period found that around half h alrey suffered w cuts, or were prescribed -pay leave or h ir commission earnings reduced.

bank surveyed 1,000 working ults d between 21 and 65 earning SGD 2,000 a month, Straits Times reported on Monday.

More than half respondents said ir savings h taken a hit by pandemic outbreak.

Around 20 per cent indicated ir savings fell by more than 20 per cent, while one in three said decline was up to 20 per cent.

Every fifth respondent said y were able to maintain ir savings level. Five per cent of respondents said y h increased ir savings by more than 20 per cent.

remaining 20 per cent said ir savings h gone up by 20 per cent.