bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

The number of hospitalisations and intensive care unit (ICU) cases due to Covid-19 has increased amid a rising number of infections, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Friday.
The estimated number of Covid-19 cases in the week of November 26 to December 2 rose to 32,035, compared with 22,094 cases in the previous week.
The average daily Covid-19 hospitalisations also rose to 225 from 136 the week before, and the average daily intensive care unit cases increased to four cases compared to one case in the previous week.
MOH said the numbers of hospitalisations and ICU cases are not as high as during the pandemic.
“This has added workload to our hospitals, which are already busy,” said MOH, adding that it is closely tracking the trajectory of this wave to ensure that its healthcare capacity is able to cope.
Although the number of cases is rising, there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease, added the ministry.
It also urged members of the public to seek medical treatment at emergency departments only for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
“This will preserve our hospital capacity for patients who truly need acute hospital care and allow those with severe illness to receive timely treatment.”
Long Covid casts a long shadow over Asia as patients cry out for a cure
MOH said the increase in the number of cases could be due to several factors, including waning population immunity and increased travel and community interactions during the year-end travel and festive season.
Cases infected by JN. 1, a sublineage of BA. 2.86, currently account for more than 60 per cent of Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
While BA. 2.86 and its sublineages have been classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization since November 21, the ministry added that there were currently no indications, globally or locally, that BA. 2.86 or JN. 1 is more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants.
In its health advisory for travellers, MOH recommended that people visit their doctor four to six weeks before a trip for a health risk assessment. This includes advice on required vaccinations.
Good personal hygiene should always be observed during the trip and travellers are encouraged to avoid close contact with those who are unwell or have symptoms of infectious diseases.
Upon return to Singapore, those who feel unwell or develop respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose should wear a mask and promptly seek medical attention. They should also tell their doctor of their travel history.


Vaccination remains effective in protecting against severe illness, said the Health Ministry, who advised everyone to keep up to date with their Covid-19 jabs.
This includes an additional dose around one year after a person’s last vaccine dose for those aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable persons, and residents of aged care facilities.
Beyond this group, MOH encouraged all individuals aged six months and above to receive the additional dose, particularly for healthcare workers and household members or carers of those who are medically vulnerable.
The updated Covid-19 monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna/ Spikevax vaccines have been available at MOH’s joint testing and vaccination centres, taking part Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC) and selected polyclinics since November 2023, and continue to be free.
Further information on the location of these sites and the type of vaccines they offer is available online.
‘Pandemic 2.0’ could hit Asia-Pacific economies hard: MSD report
In addition to staying up to date with their shots, the Health Ministry also recommended that the public exercise precaution, alongside personal and social responsibility.
Such steps include staying at home when feeling unwell and minimising contact with others, especially those who are more vulnerable.
“At a crowded place, particularly if not well-ventilated, consider wearing a mask,” added MOH.
This article was first published by CNA


Singapore, Hong Kong among best Asian markets for investment and business: HSBC report

Never underestimate the Chinese people, ex-Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong says

North American ports must automate or risk losing out to Asia and Europe

Hong Kong’s Cathay, Singapore Airlines go head-to-head in battle for wealthy customers

Singapore

Waning immunity, increased travel fuel jump in Singapore Covid-19 cases

Singapore’s Ministry of Health said the rise in Covid-19 cases could be due to several factors, including increased travel. File photo: AFP

Coronavirus: Asia-Pacific economies could pay greater price in ‘Pandemic 2.0’, MSD report says

Passengers at Changi International Airport. Singapore has reported a spike in Covid-19 infections. Photo: AFP

People wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus at a night market in Taipei last month. Photo: AP

People are seen wearing face masks, in Melbourne, Australia, in July 2022. The total cost of the pandemic based on current infections and severity was US$17 billion for Australia, according to the MSD report. Photo: EPA-EFE

Long Covid casts a long shadow over Asia as patients cry out for a cure

Medical workers treat a Covid patient at a hospital in China’s Sichuan province this month. Photo: cnsphoto via Reuters

Medical workers treat a Covid patient at a hospital in China’s Sichuan province earlier this month. At least 65 million people are thought to have long Covid worldwide. Photo: cnsphoto via Reuters

Shoppers observe social distancing at a supermarket in Singapore in 2021. Fatigue and other symptoms of long Covid can make it difficult for patients to complete even simple tasks like shopping for groceries. Photo: AP

Long Covid has no known cure, with patients often prescribed medication just to alleviate their symptoms. Photo: Shutterstock

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

The health ministry said Covid-19 hospitalisations and ICU cases had shot up in recent weeks
It urged residents to visit their doctor four to six weeks before a trip for a health risk assessment and keep up to date with their jabs


The health ministry said Covid-19 hospitalisations and ICU cases had shot up in recent weeks.


Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Coronavirus Singapore

Waning immunity, increased travel fuel jump in Singapore Covid-19 cases

The health ministry said Covid-19 hospitalisations and ICU cases had shot up in recent weeks It urged residents to visit their doctor four to six weeks before a trip for a health risk assessment and keep up to date with their jabs

The health ministry said Covid-19 hospitalisations and ICU cases had shot up in recent weeks

It urged residents to visit their doctor four to six weeks before a trip for a health risk assessment and keep up to date with their jabs