SINGAPORE: Singapore has not detected any cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant locally so far, but with more countries reporting infections, it is a "matter of time" before cases emerge here, authorities said on Tuesday (Nov 30).
Although daily COVID-19 cases and the weekly infection ratio remain stable, Singapore needs to remain vigilant with the emergence of the little-known variant, said co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Gan Kim Yong.
“While we have not detected this new variant among local cases yet, it is only a matter of time before it arrives in Singapore," he said at a press conference.
Therefore, the country is making several "pre-emptive moves" to buy time while it finds out more about the variant, he added.
Anyone suspected or confirmed of being infected with the Omicron variant will not be allowed to undergo home recovery. They will be taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases for isolation and management of the disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
Full contact tracing for these cases will be conducted. Identified close contacts will not be allowed to self-isolate at home, and will be placed on a 10-day quarantine at government isolation facilities. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will be conducted at the start and end of their quarantine.
Singapore also announced on Tuesday stricter on-arrival testing measures for travellers.
These latest measures will help authorities quickly detect and contain cases infected with the new variant, while reducing the risk of importation and further transmission, said Mr Gan, who is also Trade and Industry Minister.
“As more data becomes available in the coming weeks, we must be prepared to further adjust our measures if necessary to ensure that the situation remains under control before we continue on our reopening journey.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) designated Omicron a “ variant of concern ” on Nov 26, just days after the variant was first reported in southern Africa. The WHO has said it is coordinating with researchers worldwide to better understand how the variant will impact the COVID-19 pandemic, with new findings expected within “days and weeks”.
But amid reports that Omicron is potentially more contagious than the current dominant Delta variant, countries have raced to contain the new variant by closing borders to foreign travellers or tightening restrictions on them.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore is watching Omicron closely and may be forced to take a few steps back again.
The proportion of cases that are infected by the Omicron variant in South Africa has rapidly increased, said MOH. As of Nov 29, the variant has also been detected in at least 13 other countries, mainly in people with recent travel history.
“More cases are expected globally as countries continue to enhance their surveillance for the variant. The overall COVID-19 incidence rate in South Africa remains low, but is increasing,” the ministry said.
The COVID-19 task force is looking out for more information on the Omicron variant such as its transmissibility, incubation period and infectious duration, severity of illness and the efficacy of existing vaccines.
“Some of the mutations found in the variant’s genome were previously known to enhance transmissibility and reduce vaccine efficacy in other variants with these mutations,” said MOH.
Singapore's highly vaccinated population, combined with the ongoing booster programme, would have some protection against this new variant, the ministry said.
Early data suggests that current vaccines are effective against severe disease and death, it added.
“However, more studies are needed to understand the actual impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines and treatments," it said.
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Although daily COVID-19 cases and the weekly infection ratio remain stable, Singapore needs to remain vigilant with the emergence of the little-known variant, said co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Gan Kim Yong.
“While we have not detected this new variant among local cases yet, it is only a matter of time before it arrives in Singapore," he said at a press conference.
Therefore, the country is making several "pre-emptive moves" to buy time while it finds out more about the variant, he added.
Anyone suspected or confirmed of being infected with the Omicron variant will not be allowed to undergo home recovery. They will be taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases for isolation and management of the disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
Full contact tracing for these cases will be conducted. Identified close contacts will not be allowed to self-isolate at home, and will be placed on a 10-day quarantine at government isolation facilities. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will be conducted at the start and end of their quarantine.
Singapore also announced on Tuesday stricter on-arrival testing measures for travellers.
These latest measures will help authorities quickly detect and contain cases infected with the new variant, while reducing the risk of importation and further transmission, said Mr Gan, who is also Trade and Industry Minister.
“As more data becomes available in the coming weeks, we must be prepared to further adjust our measures if necessary to ensure that the situation remains under control before we continue on our reopening journey.”
Related:
The World Health Organization (WHO) designated Omicron a “ variant of concern ” on Nov 26, just days after the variant was first reported in southern Africa. The WHO has said it is coordinating with researchers worldwide to better understand how the variant will impact the COVID-19 pandemic, with new findings expected within “days and weeks”.
But amid reports that Omicron is potentially more contagious than the current dominant Delta variant, countries have raced to contain the new variant by closing borders to foreign travellers or tightening restrictions on them.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore is watching Omicron closely and may be forced to take a few steps back again.
Related:
CURRENT VACCINES REMAIN EFFECTIVE: MOH
The proportion of cases that are infected by the Omicron variant in South Africa has rapidly increased, said MOH. As of Nov 29, the variant has also been detected in at least 13 other countries, mainly in people with recent travel history.
“More cases are expected globally as countries continue to enhance their surveillance for the variant. The overall COVID-19 incidence rate in South Africa remains low, but is increasing,” the ministry said.
The COVID-19 task force is looking out for more information on the Omicron variant such as its transmissibility, incubation period and infectious duration, severity of illness and the efficacy of existing vaccines.
“Some of the mutations found in the variant’s genome were previously known to enhance transmissibility and reduce vaccine efficacy in other variants with these mutations,” said MOH.
Singapore's highly vaccinated population, combined with the ongoing booster programme, would have some protection against this new variant, the ministry said.
Early data suggests that current vaccines are effective against severe disease and death, it added.
“However, more studies are needed to understand the actual impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines and treatments," it said.
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Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Continue reading...