SINGAPORE: About 45 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the community in the past week were those of the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, up from 30 per cent the week before, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Jun 27).
The BA.5 subvariant alone is estimated to have contributed to 40 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in the past week.
However, international and local data show that the two subvariants do not result in more severe outcomes as compared to the earlier Omicron strains, said MOH.
"Coupled with our population’s high vaccination coverage, the number of severe COVID-19 infections has remained manageable."
"Our hospitals and COVID-19 Treatment Facilities are prepared to cope with the projected surge in cases. We also have contingency plans to ramp up our healthcare capacity quickly, if needed," said the Health Ministry.
MOH added that it will not be making any changes to safe management measures at this juncture.
Masks will be still be required indoors as a key line of defence. Current vaccination-differentiated safe management measures for some higher-risk activities will also remain unchanged.
"However, we are monitoring the situation closely, and do not rule out the need to tighten safe management measures should the need arise."
The Health Ministry will be conducting a third national distribution of 10 antigen rapid test (ART) kits to each residential household from Jul 18 via post.
"Due to the high volume of ART kits being distributed, we seek the public’s patience and understanding that it could take a few weeks for some households to receive the kits," said MOH.
For lower-income households who require more test kits for self-testing beyond what MOH will be providing, beneficiaries of Social Service Offices and Family Service Centres may continue to request for additional kits at these locations.
Additionally, MOH will be working with the Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency to provide ART kits on request to students from lower-income households.
"More information on the provision of these ART kits to be distributed by schools and educational institutions will be separately shared with students and parents," said MOH.
MOH also reminded those who have yet to receive their booster shots to do so without delay.
"Three doses of mRNA vaccine (two primary series plus a booster) are needed to properly protect ourselves against the Omicron variant."
Currently, there are still close to 70,000 eligible seniors aged 60 and above who have not received their third shot or first booster.
From Jun 27, mobile vaccination teams will be deployed to selected heartland locations to make it more convenient for seniors to get vaccinated and boosted.
The teams will be deployed at certain Residents’ Committee Centres at residential blocks and Community Centres. Each team will be deployed at a given site for two days before moving on to the next location, said MOH.
"Family and friends of these seniors should encourage them to receive their booster doses without delay, so that they can stay protected against severe illness."
On Monday, Singapore reported a total of 5,309 COVID-19 cases, of which 4,845 were locally transmitted infections.
There have been 1,413,667 COVID-19 cases in Singapore since the start of the pandemic
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
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The BA.5 subvariant alone is estimated to have contributed to 40 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in the past week.
However, international and local data show that the two subvariants do not result in more severe outcomes as compared to the earlier Omicron strains, said MOH.
"Coupled with our population’s high vaccination coverage, the number of severe COVID-19 infections has remained manageable."
"Our hospitals and COVID-19 Treatment Facilities are prepared to cope with the projected surge in cases. We also have contingency plans to ramp up our healthcare capacity quickly, if needed," said the Health Ministry.
MOH added that it will not be making any changes to safe management measures at this juncture.
Masks will be still be required indoors as a key line of defence. Current vaccination-differentiated safe management measures for some higher-risk activities will also remain unchanged.
"However, we are monitoring the situation closely, and do not rule out the need to tighten safe management measures should the need arise."
Related:
ART KIT DISTRIBUTION
The Health Ministry will be conducting a third national distribution of 10 antigen rapid test (ART) kits to each residential household from Jul 18 via post.
"Due to the high volume of ART kits being distributed, we seek the public’s patience and understanding that it could take a few weeks for some households to receive the kits," said MOH.
For lower-income households who require more test kits for self-testing beyond what MOH will be providing, beneficiaries of Social Service Offices and Family Service Centres may continue to request for additional kits at these locations.
Additionally, MOH will be working with the Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency to provide ART kits on request to students from lower-income households.
"More information on the provision of these ART kits to be distributed by schools and educational institutions will be separately shared with students and parents," said MOH.
BOOSTER SHOTS
MOH also reminded those who have yet to receive their booster shots to do so without delay.
"Three doses of mRNA vaccine (two primary series plus a booster) are needed to properly protect ourselves against the Omicron variant."
Currently, there are still close to 70,000 eligible seniors aged 60 and above who have not received their third shot or first booster.
From Jun 27, mobile vaccination teams will be deployed to selected heartland locations to make it more convenient for seniors to get vaccinated and boosted.
The teams will be deployed at certain Residents’ Committee Centres at residential blocks and Community Centres. Each team will be deployed at a given site for two days before moving on to the next location, said MOH.
"Family and friends of these seniors should encourage them to receive their booster doses without delay, so that they can stay protected against severe illness."
On Monday, Singapore reported a total of 5,309 COVID-19 cases, of which 4,845 were locally transmitted infections.
There have been 1,413,667 COVID-19 cases in Singapore since the start of the pandemic
BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Continue reading...