SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore reported its highest number of local coronavirus cases in 10 months on Wednesday, after the discovery of a cluster among hostesses and customers of KTV karaoke lounges.<\/p>\n
Of the 56 new community infections, 41 were linked to the KTV outbreak, the health ministry said.<\/p>\n
The ministry earlier this week said it was investigating infections among Vietnamese hostesses who frequented KTV lounges or clubs and was offering free COVID-19 testing to anyone potentially exposed.<\/p>\n
The first known case was a Vietnamese woman who sought medical help on Sunday, local media reported.<\/p>\n
Singapore has yet to reopen KTV lounges and clubs and authorities said the places where the virus spread were operating as food and beverage outlets.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said police would take action against violators.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny outlets providing hostess services, dice games and all this very close contact, were never allowed,\u201d he told local media, according to CNA.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo for this to now happen has been troubling (and) disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ong said there was no plan to reverse recently loosened restrictions because of the cluster, citing progress in vaccinations.<\/p>\n
Among those infected was also a cruise passenger hospitalised on Wednesday. Nearly 3,000 passengers and crew were confined to their cruise cabins, awaiting for COVID-19 tests.<\/p>\n
Singapore has dealt swiftly with most of its coronavirus outbreaks and imposed targeted restrictions in May aimed at slowing the spread of the Delta variant.<\/p>\n
It is aiming to complete the vaccination of two-third of its population by Aug. 9.<\/p>\n