Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 47 more cases of COVID-19 infection as of 12pm on March 18, the largest single day increase the country has seen.
The total number of confirmed cases in Singapore stands at 313.
33 of them are imported cases with travel history to Europe, North America, ASEAN and parts of Asia. Of these, 30 were returning residents and long-term pass holders, while three were short term visitors.
For the remaining, two are linked to the clusters at Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah) and boulder+ Gym; one is linked to the cluster at Masjid Al Muttaqin; and six others are linked to previous cases. Five are currently unlinked.
MOH said in a statement that about 70 per cent of recent new cases are imported, comprising mostly Singaporeans and residents returning from travel. With immediate effect, Singapore residents are advised to defer all travel abroad.
All Singaporeans, Permanent Residents (PRs), Long-Term Pass Holders, Short-Term Visitors entering the country will be issued a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN). This is with effect from March 20, 11.59pm.
Short-term visitors who have visited Mainland China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Spain in the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through the country.
Meanwhile, three more cases of COVID-19 infection have been discharged from hospital. In all, 117 have fully recovered from the infection.
Of the 196 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. 15 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.