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Singapore sees most COVID-19 cases in 10 months after karaoke cluster

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/afp/07/14/20210714-singapore.jpg"/><figcaption>This photo taken from the passenger capsule of the Singapore Flyer shows the skyline of high rise buildings around the Marina Bay in Singapore on March 8, 2019. <em>Roslan Rahman, AFP/file</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>SINGAPORE—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><p>Of the 56 new community infections, 41 were linked to the KTV outbreak, the health ministry said.</p><p>The ministry has been investigating infections among what it said were Vietnamese hostesses who frequented KTV lounges or clubs and has offered free COVID-19 testing to anyone potentially exposed.</p><p>The first known case was a Vietnamese woman who sought medical help on Sunday, local media reported.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/12/21/fda-all-approved-covid-19-vaccines-effective-vs-delta-variant">FDA: All approved COVID-19 vaccines effective vs Delta variant </a></li></ul><p>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><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/06/21/nations-need-to-vaccinate-85-percent-of-population-vs-covid-19-who">Nations need to vaccinate 85 percent of population vs COVID-19: WHO</a></li></ul><p>Police arrested 20 women late on Wednesday, among them South Koreans, Malaysians, Thai and Vietnamese, for alleged vice activities at KTV lounges, local media reported.</p><p>Police did not immediately confirm the arrests when contacted by Reuters.</p><p>Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had earlier warned police would take action against violators.</p><p>&quot;Any outlets providing hostess services, dice games and all this very close contact, were never allowed,&quot; he told local media, according to CNA.</p><p>&quot;So for this to now happen has been troubling (and) disappointing.&quot;</p><p>Ong said there was no plan to reverse recently loosened restrictions because of the cluster, citing progress in vaccinations.</p><p>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><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/07/21/population-protection-target-on-track-philippines">Philippines still on track achieve &#x27;population protection&#x27; by yearend: Cabinet official</a></li></ul><p>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><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/29/21/philippines-travelers-quarantine-fully-vaccinated-covid">Philippines allows shorter quarantine for travelers vaccinated vs COVID-19 abroad</a></li></ul><p>It is aiming to complete the vaccination of two-third of its population by Aug. 9. (Reporting by Chen Lin; Editing by Martin Petty)</p><div><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1718876" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Police arrested 20 women late on Wednesday, among them South Koreans, Malaysians, Thai and Vietnamese, for alleged vice activities at KTV lounges. </p>

Police arrested 20 women late on Wednesday, among them South Koreans, Malaysians, Thai and Vietnamese, for alleged vice activities at KTV lounges.