Covid Surge In Singapore: Health Minister Orders To Wear Mask As Cases Soar

A new surge in COVID-19 infections is being closely monitored by the Singapore government, as the estimated weekly case count almost doubled in the week ending May 11.

The wearing of masks was advised again by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday.

Photo Credit: PTI

Covid Surge In Singapore

The trajectory of the new wave is being closely tracked by Singapore's Ministry of Health. The ministry reported that the estimated number of COVID-19 cases nearly doubled from 13,700 in the previous week to 25,900 in the week of May 5 to 11, as reported by Hindustan Times citing Bloomberg.

It was reported by the ministry that the average daily Covid-19 hospitalisations increased from 181 to approximately 250 during the same period. To preserve hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been instructed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer appropriate patients to care facilities.

"We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising," said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, according to a Straits Times report. He added that the wave is expected to peak in the next two to four weeks, meaning between mid- and end-June.

Individuals at the highest risk of disease, including those aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities, were encouraged by Ong to get an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not been vaccinated in the past 12 months, as per media reports.

Regarding social restrictions, Ong stated that no plans for any form of social restrictions exist as of now, as COVID-19 is treated as an endemic disease in Singapore. The minister added that imposing additional measures would be considered a last resort.

Ong acknowledged that Singapore, being a transport and communications hub, will likely experience a wave of Covid-19 earlier than other cities. "So Covid-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves," he said.