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TODAY

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is strongly encouraging the public to wear a mask in crowded places even if they are not sick, as Covid-19 cases rose above 56,000 last week.
It will also open a second Covid-19 treatment facility located at Singapore Expo Hall 10 in Changi this weekend, it said in a press statement on Friday.
Together with the existing facility at Crawfurd Hospital along Adam Road, the two facilities will be able to care for more than 80 stable Covid-19 patients who do not need intensive hospital care.
Starting December 19, MOH will be giving daily updates on Covid-19 cases on its website to provide the latest information during this period of surge in cases.
It has been giving weekly updates for Covid-19 cases on its website.
As Covid-19 testing is no longer routinely required in Singapore, the number of reported Covid-19 cases is expected to under-represent the actual situation, MOH said.
To derive a more accurate estimate of the number of Covid-19 cases domestically, MOH calculates the estimated number of infections, taking into account various factors.
These include the number of acute respiratory infection attendances at polyclinics, the proportion of acute respiratory infection samples from polyclinics that test positive for Covid-19 for each epidemiological week, and the share of national acute respiratory infection cases that are seen in polyclinics.
Calls for return of masks, airport scanners in Southeast Asia amid Covid surge
The estimated number of Covid-19 cases in the week of December 3 to 9 rose to 56,043 cases, compared to 32,035 cases in the week before that.
MOH reported that the average daily hospitalisations rose to 350 from 225 the week before, and the average daily cases in intensive care units (ICUs) increased to nine cases from four cases previously.
These cases were infected by JN.1, a sublineage of the coronavirus’ Omicron subvariant BA.2.86.
JN.1 now accounts for the vast majority of the Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
Based on the available international and domestic data, there is no clear indication now that BA.2.86 or JN.1 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants, MOH said.
To preserve Singapore’s healthcare capacity, the ministry has been working with public hospitals for contingency planning.
This includes ensuring adequate manpower and deferring of non-urgent electives (scheduled medical treatments or appointments) to maximise bed capacity for urgent cases in need of acute care.

In addition, hospitals are tapping step-down facilities such as transitional care facilities and alternative care models such as Mobile Inpatient Care@Home, where patients have the option to be cared for in their own home instead of in a hospital ward.
To preserve the hospital’s capacity for patients who truly need it, MOH urges the public to seek medical treatment at a hospital’s emergency department only for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
Besides encouraging mask-wearing in indoor settings, or when visiting or interacting with vulnerable persons, MOH is urging the public to exercise personal and social responsibility.
People who are unwell with acute respiratory infection symptoms should stay at home until symptoms resolve, and avoid contact with others, it said.
“If they have to come into contact while unwell, they need to exercise social responsibility by wearing a mask, minimising their social interactions, and avoiding crowded places,” it added.
Travellers should adopt the relevant travel precautions, such as wearing a mask at the airport, getting travel insurance and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation.
“Vaccination is our primary defence against Covid-19 and continues to be effective in preventing severe illness,” MOH said.
Waning immunity, increased travel fuel jump in Singapore Covid cases
The ministry’s analysis showed that hospitalisation rates were considerably lower among people who have kept up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations, with an additional dose received within the last 12 months, compared with those who have not.
As immunity in the population wanes over time, MOH urges everyone to keep their vaccination up to date to stay protected and maintain the nation’s collective resilience against Covid-19.
The updated Covid-19 XBB.1.5 Pfizer-BioNTech-Comirnaty and Moderna-Spikevax vaccines continue to be free at Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres, participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics and selected polyclinics.
MOH also advises people aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable persons, and residents of aged care facilities to get the updated vaccine if their last dose was more than a year ago.
Long Covid casts a long shadow over Asia as patients cry out for a cure
All individuals aged six months and above are encouraged to receive the extra dose, particularly for healthcare workers and household members who are caregivers of medically vulnerable individuals.
“Our society has weathered several infection waves and emerged more resilient each time, and we can similarly withstand this wave with everyone’s cooperation,” MOH said.
“We urge everyone to play their part in protecting themselves and their families, especially seniors and medically vulnerable persons.”
This article was first published by Today Online


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Singapore

Singaporeans told to mask up in crowded places as Covid-19 cases soar

People look at the light show at Christmas Wonderland Festival at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on December 10. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tourists visit Merlion Park in Singapore. Photo: EPA-EFE

Covid surge prompts calls for return of masks in Singapore, airport scanners in Indonesia

Governments in Southeast Asia are bringing back some Covid measures following a recent surge in cases. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

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Asia

Southeast Asia

The city state will also open a second Covid treatment facility to deal with the rising infections that topped 56,000 last week
The health ministry urged the public to keep their vaccination up to date to stay protected


The city state will also open a second Covid treatment facility to deal with the rising infections that topped 56,000 last week.


Coronavirus Singapore

Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Singaporeans told to mask up in crowded places as Covid-19 cases soar

The city state will also open a second Covid treatment facility to deal with the rising infections that topped 56,000 last week The health ministry urged the public to keep their vaccination up to date to stay protected

The city state will also open a second Covid treatment facility to deal with the rising infections that topped 56,000 last week

The health ministry urged the public to keep their vaccination up to date to stay protected