Prime Highlights :
- Singapore experienced a 75% week-on-week hike in COVID-19 cases fueled by a new subvariant.
- Community mask-wearing and boosters are being called for to curb the wave.
Key Facts :
- 56,043 cases between Dec 3–9 compared to 32,035 in the previous week.
- 350 admissions a day in hospital with JN.1 subvariant now taking the center stage.
Key Background :
Singapore is seeing a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases at the end of the year, and to that effect, new public health regulations have been put in place. Between December 3 and 9, more than 56,000 new cases were recorded, a steep 75% spike compared to the previous week. The wave has also registered increased use of health facilities with daily admissions to hospitals rising from 225 to 350. ICU admissions, while still low, doubled from more than 4 per day to 9 per day.
JN.1 BA.2.86 lineage subvariant has been designated by health authorities as the most prevalent strain that caused the wave. Though preliminary signs are that JN.1 does not necessarily get people ill as quickly as previous variants, the fact that the spread is increasing is raising some eyebrows, particularly among high-risk groups. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has re-implemented strategies such as mask-wearing in crowded or poorly ventilated areas and self-isolation by symptomatic individuals.
One of the efforts to decongest health centers, the public hospitals were requested by the MOH to postpone non-emergency elective surgery and expand the use of telemedicine and home-based models like Mobile Inpatient Care@Home. Under the program, mildly and moderately sick hospital-level patients are treated at home, freeing up space in the hospitals for complicated cases.
The ministry is also promoting ongoing vaccination, especially among the older population and the immunocompromised. The previously vaccinated individuals who have not had a COVID-19 booster dose over the last 12 months are advised to receive a booster, the MOH appealed. The MOH reassured the public that the new vaccines are still safe and effective, most significantly against severe disease and death.
While Singapore enters party mode, health authorities are on their toes and urge citizens to continue being active in limiting the spread of the virus.
Read More – Click Here
