Singapore is currently grappling with another wave of COVID-19 infections, as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently disclosed on 6 October, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Current Situation
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, speaking at the official opening of the Stepping Stones Rehabilitation Centre and Serenity Centre at the Institute of Mental Health, expressed his concerns regarding the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
He noted that over the past two weeks, daily cases have surged from 1,000 to 2,000, primarily driven by two variants: EG.5 and its sub-lineage HK.3, both descendants of the XBB Omicron variant, and they account for more than 75% of Singapore’s daily cases.
While the situation is serious, Minister Ong emphasized that Singapore has no plans to impose social restrictions. Instead, the government’s strategy is to treat COVID-19 as an endemic disease and learn to live with it.
Vaccination and Protection
Minister Ong urged seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions to take necessary precautions such as wearing masks in crowds.
However, he stressed that the most critical measure is to keep vaccinations up to date, with at least one shot per year.
He shared findings from a Ministry of Health study, highlighting the importance of maintaining vaccination coverage.
Individuals who had received a minimum of three mRNA shots and experienced a natural infection within the last 12 months had a much lower incidence rate of severe illness (about 10 per 100,000 people) compared to those with no protection (more than 50 in 100,000 people).
The study also revealed that protection wanes, particularly after the 12-month mark, even for those who were well-protected previously.
Therefore, it’s crucial for seniors and vulnerable individuals to stay updated with their vaccinations to ensure mild symptoms and a faster recovery if they contract the virus again.