The Ministry of Health in Singapore is closely monitoring the recent increase in COVID-19 infections in the country.

The estimated number of cases in week 5, up to May 11, 2024, has risen to 25,900 from 13,700 cases in the previous week.

Additionally, the average daily COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased to around 250 from 181 the week prior. The Ministry also reported that the average daily Intensive Care Unit cases have remained high at three cases, compared to two cases in the previous week.

The Singapore Ministry of Health emphasized in a statement that they are diligently tracing the virus spread to safeguard the well-being of its citizens.

The statement reads in part, “The MOH is closely tracking the trajectory of this wave. To protect hospital bed capacity and as a precaution, public hospitals have been asked to reduce their non-urgent elective surgery cases and move suitable patients to care facilities like Transitional Care Facilities or at home through Mobile Inpatient Care@Home.

“While there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previous variants, immunity in the population has likely waned over time.

“We urge the public to stay updated with COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves against current and emerging virus strains and exercise personal and social responsibility to minimise transmission.”

“Globally, JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2, remain the predominant COVID-19 variants. Locally, the combined proportion of KP.1 and KP.2 currently accounts for over two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in Singapore.

“As of 3 May 2024, the World Health Organisation has classified KP.2 as a Variant Under Monitoring. There are currently no indications, globally or locally, that KP.1 and KP.2 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants.

“Even as we live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, we cannot afford to lower our guard. To date, about 80 per cent of the local population have completed their initial or additional dose but have not received a dose within the last year. This indicates that immunity in the population is likely to have waned.”

The ministry indicated that since the initiation of COVID-19 vaccination in 2020/2021, the vaccines have consistently demonstrated their safety and efficacy in safeguarding individuals against severe illness. As per the official communication, billions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have now been administered worldwide, with global safety monitoring confirming the vaccine’s safety.

The statement further read, “During the peak month of the previous JN.1 wave in December 2023, the incidence rate of COVID-19 hospitalisations and ICU admissions among seniors aged 60 years and above was 25 per cent higher in those who had not kept their vaccination updated compared to those who had.

“The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination has also been shown in a large number of previous studies and continues to be demonstrated in recent data.

“For example, between September 2023 and January 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention observed that the updated COVID-19 vaccines reduced the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by more than 50 per cent when comparing those who received an updated vaccine to those who did not.

“The protection against COVID-19 outweighs the risk from COVID-19 vaccination, and we urge individuals to keep updated with their COVID-19 vaccination.”

It was emphasized that there are no notable long-term safety issues linked to COVID-19 vaccination. The statement stressed that any adverse effects stemming from the vaccines, including those using mRNA technology, have been predominantly observed to manifest shortly after vaccination.

Drawing from local data, the ministry underscored that staying current with vaccinations remains a crucial and effective strategy in warding off severe COVID-19 cases that may necessitate hospitalization or ICU care.

The Ministry advises that individuals most susceptible to severe COVID-19, including those aged 60 and above, people with compromised health, and residents of aged care facilities, should consider getting a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2024, approximately one year after their previous vaccination.

This additional dose is recommended to enhance protection against severe disease.

“Next-of-kin residents of aged care facilities are reminded to provide consent promptly if they intend to enable the resident to receive an additional dose of the updated vaccine.

“In addition, all vaccinated individuals aged six months and above are encouraged to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for 2024 as well.”