SINGAPORE — The death of a foreign worker at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on Thursday (April 23) morning was caused by "multiple injuries consistent with those resulting from a fall from height", and not due to complications from Covid-19 infection, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has said.

The man, a 46-year-old Indian national, was found motionless at a staircase landing of the hospital on Thursday morning, with MOH confirming later in the evening that he had been diagnosed with Covid-19.

The ministry identified the deceased as Case 8190. He was confirmed to have been infected by the coronavirus on Sunday and had been warded at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

"The cause of death for Case 8190 was multiple injuries consistent with those resulting from a fall from height, and was not due to complications from Covid-19 infection," MOH said on Friday.

The police said on Thursday that they do not suspect foul play.

They were alerted to a case of unnatural death at the hospital at about 7.30am. The worker was found lying motionless at a staircase landing of the hospital, and he later succumbed to his injuries, they added.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday that the deceased had been a construction worker for the same employer in Singapore since September 2009.

“Background checks do not reveal any complaints against the employer,” MOM said.

On Thursday afternoon, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo visited the dormitory where the deceased stayed and met his colleagues.

Speaking in a video interview provided to the media by MOM following the ministers' visit, Mr Shanmugam reassured the workers that the Government will "definitely look after" them if any of them were to contract Covid-19.

“The Government will ensure that your salary is paid and that you will receive regular and timely meals. There are also medical facilities to care for you. No one needs to worry," he said in Tamil. 

Mrs Teo said that the deceased’s friends, who are also working with the same employer, were sad but calm.

“They shared with us that they are satisfied with their work in Singapore and that the employer has been taking good care of them,” Mrs Teo said.

“I reassured them that their health and medical needs are our uppermost priority. If they fall sick, the Government will make sure they are treated and help them recover.”

MOM said it is working with the non-governmental organisation Migrant Workers’ Centre to provide support to the family of the deceased.

He is survived by his spouse and three daughters aged between six and 11.