Singapore virus cases surge past 20,000

Singapore's coronavirus infections have surged past 20,000 as more foreign workers living in crowded dormitories were diagnosed.

The city-state reported 788 new cases on Wednesday for a total of 20,198, the third highest in Asia after China and India.

Foreign workers living in dorms accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the cases.

Officials say the upsurge among foreign workers was expected amid ongoing virus testing at dozens of dorms that have been locked down.

Singapore will allow selected businesses to operate on May 12 in a gradual roll back of a two-month lockdown that is expected to end June 1.