Singapore : COVID-19 cases rose to 56,043 in a week
Travel Biz News —
Singapore ‘s Ministry of Health (MOH) strongly encourages the public to wear a mask in crowded places even if they are not sick, especially in indoor settings, or when visiting or interacting with vulnerable persons.
Travellers should adopt the relevant travel precautions, such as wearing a mask at the airport, purchasing travel insurance, and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health of Singapore
As COVID-19 infections continue to rise, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is taking additional measures to ensure that our healthcare capacity remains protected.
The estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of 3 to 9 December 2023 rose to 56,043 cases, compared to 32,035 cases in the previous week.
The average daily COVID-19 hospitalizations rose to 350 from 225 the week before, and the average daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases increased to nine cases compared to four cases in the previous week.
Cases infected by JN.1, a sublineage of BA.2.86, currently account for the vast majority of the COVID-19 cases in Singapore. Based on the available international and local data, there is currently no clear indication that BA.2.86 or JN.1 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants.
The ministry has urged the public to exercise personal and social responsibility.
“Individuals who are unwell with acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms should stay at home until symptoms resolve, and avoid contact with others. 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.”
“We urge the public to seek medical treatment at a hospital’s Emergency Department only for serious or life-threatening emergencies. This will preserve our hospital capacity for patients who truly need acute hospital care and allow those with severe illness to receive timely treatment,” reads the statement.
Vaccination is our primary defence against COVID-19, and continues to be effective in preventing severe illness. The ministry has urged the public to keep their vaccination up to date to stay protected and maintain collective resilience against COVID-19.
19 December 2023
Photo by Singapore Tourism Board
