Singapore on Saturday reported 618 new cases of novel coronavirus, taking the total number of infections to 12,693 with 12 deaths in the country, media reports said. The vast majority of the new cases are among the work permit holders residing in dormitories for foreign workers, including Indian nationals, who work in the labour intensive construction sector. A total of 25 dormitories, housing foreign workers, have been gazetted as isolation areas. Singapore is going through a "circuit breaker" period to stem the spread of COVID-19. The period was at first scheduled to end on May 4 but will now last until June 1. All the non-essential work places have been ordered to stay closed and residents are barred from leaving the house except to buy food and groceries or to exercise alone in the neighbourhood.

Singapore on Saturday reported 618 new cases of novel coronavirus, taking the total number of infections to 12,693 with 12 deaths in the country, media reports said. The vast majority of the new cases are among the work permit holders residing in dormitories for foreign workers, including Indian nationals, who work in the labour intensive construction sector. A total of 25 dormitories, housing foreign workers, have been gazetted as isolation areas. Singapore is going through a "circuit breaker" period to stem the spread of COVID-19. The period was at first scheduled to end on May 4 but will now last until June 1. All the non-essential work places have been ordered to stay closed and residents are barred from leaving the house except to buy food and groceries or to exercise alone in the neighbourhood.