Singapore is facing a new surge in Covid-19 infections, with the estimated weekly case count nearly doubling in the week ending May 11. Health minister Ong Ye Kung has advised the wearing of masks again as a precautionary measure.
The Singapore government is closely monitoring the trajectory of this new wave of infections. According to the ministry of health, the estimated number of Covid-19 cases jumped from 13,700 in the previous week to 25,900 in the week of May 5 to 11. Additionally, average daily hospitalizations increased from 181 to approximately 250 during the same period.
To manage the surge in cases and preserve hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been instructed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer appropriate patients to care facilities. Health minister Ong Ye Kung stated that Singapore is at the beginning of the wave, which is steadily rising, and projected the peak to be between mid- and end-June.
While there are no plans for social restrictions at the moment, Ong emphasized the importance of individuals at highest risk of disease, including those aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities, to get an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they have not been vaccinated in the past 12 months.
Despite the challenges posed by the surge in cases, Ong acknowledged that Singapore, as a transport and communications hub, is likely to experience waves of Covid-19 earlier than other cities. He emphasized that Covid-19 is something that Singaporeans will have to live with, with the expectation of one or two waves every year.