Singapore is bracing for a surge in COVID-19 cases, with Health Minister Ong Ye Kung warning that more infections and hospitalizations are expected in the coming weeks. Although there are no immediate plans to reintroduce social restrictions, the situation is being closely monitored.
Over the past few weeks, daily case estimates have risen from around 1,000 cases to 2,000 cases, primarily driven by two dominant variants, EG.5 and HK.3, both descendants of the XBB Omicron variant. These variants now account for over 75% of daily cases but are notably different from the April peak when infections reached approximately 4,000 cases daily.
Emphasizing a shift towards treating COVID-19 as an endemic disease, Minister Ong stressed that current vaccines remain effective in preventing severe illness caused by these new variants. However, he urged continued vigilance, emphasizing that more people may fall ill in the near future, potentially leading to increased hospitalizations.
In his address, Minister Ong advised seniors and medically vulnerable individuals to take precautions, including mask-wearing in crowded areas. Most importantly, he highlighted the need to stay up-to-date with vaccinations. A Ministry of Health (MOH) study revealed that protection tends to wane after approximately 12 months. Therefore, maintaining vaccination status, including booster shots, can mitigate symptoms and offer ongoing protection against severe illness.
As Singapore confronts a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the message from Minister Ong remains consistent: Stay vigilant, follow safety measures, and prioritize vaccination to safeguard public health in the face of evolving challenges.
Meanwhile, the Health Sciences Authority has granted full approval to Paxlovid, an oral antiviral drug for treating COVID-19, for use in Singapore starting in October. This tablet is designed to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult patients at high risk of severe disease, effectively reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. Notably, Paxlovid initially received Pandemic Special Access Route Interim Authorization in January 2022 for emergency use in Singapore as a therapeutic product.
COVID-19: 2019 coronavirus disease
Links to original reports:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-wave-new-variants-more-people-fall-sick-ong-ye-kung-moh-vaccines-3826216
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/defence-against-severe-covid-19-wanes-in-a-year-those-at-risk-must-take-yearly-shots-ong-ye-kung
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