SINGAPORE — A foreign worker was found motionless at a staircase landing of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on Thursday (April 23) morning, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirming later in the evening that he had been diagnosed with Covid-19.

The cause of the 46-year-old Indian national's death is still being investigated, but the police said they do not suspect foul play. MOH said in its daily update on Thursday night that the deceased was Case 8190 who was confirmed to have Covid-19 infection on Sunday, and had been warded at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

The police said 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, the police added.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement 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,” said MOM.

While the ministry did not name the dormitory the deceased was residing in, it stated that he was living in a factory-converted dormitory — one converted from an industrial or warehouse development — operated by the employer. The dormitory was last inspected on April 12.

“At the time, it housed nine workers, including the deceased, less than the approved capacity for factory-converted dormitories,” said MOM. “The dormitory was found to be in an acceptable condition, including (in the areas of) cleanliness and ventilation.”

Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo met the workers at their dormitory on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking in a video interview provided to the media by MOM following the ministers' visit, Mr Shanmugam said in Tamil that he reassured the workers that the Government will "definitely look after" them if any of them contracts this virus.

“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 added. 

Mr Shanmugam said the police are looking into what happened and whether the deceased had any other medical issues. "Until then, do not believe any rumours,” he said. 

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.”

The workers had requested that the nephew of the deceased, who is employed by the same company, be allowed to pay his last respects.

In a video clip provided by MOM, the deceased’s 20-year-old nephew, Mr Veerapan Meenakshi Sundaram, said his uncle had been in the hospital for about seven or eight days.

“He told me he was not worried about the coronavirus,” said Mr Veerapan. The deceased is his mother's brother.

“He said, ‘They will keep me here alone and send me back after one week. There will be no issues’.”

Mr Veerapan, who is from Madurai city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, added that he had no issues with the company.

“They pay us correctly on the fifth of each month. They also pay us our salary advance on the 15th,” he said.

MOM said it is working with MOH and the Hindu Endowments Board to undertake the necessary funeral arrangements for the deceased worker.

“We are also working with the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) to provide support to the family of the deceased,” said MOM.

In a Facebook post, the MWC said the deceased is survived by his spouse and three daughters, who are between the ages of six and 11.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, the High Commission of India said it is awaiting more information from the police about the circumstances surrounding the worker's death after the coroner’s inquiry is completed.

TODAY has reached out to the authorities for more details. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NAVENE ELANGOVAN