Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says he is feeling generally okay but is self-isolating until he is asymptomatic.
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore has tested positive for COVID-19 following recent official trips to South Africa and Kenya.
“I tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time this morning,” Mr Lee shared in a Facebook post on Monday (May 22). “This comes after my recent work trips. I am generally feeling okay, but my doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I am asymptomatic.”
At 71, Mr Lee mentioned that his doctors have prescribed the antiviral medication Paxlovid as a precaution due to his age. He also noted that his most recent COVID-19 vaccine booster was administered in November.
He urged the public to continue staying up-to-date with vaccinations, emphasizing that it reduces the risk of severe illness. “As COVID-19 remains endemic in Singapore, we must continue to stay safe and healthy,” he wrote.
Mr Lee’s trips included official visits to Cape Town, South Africa, from May 14 to 16, and to Nairobi, Kenya, from May 17 to 19.
Singapore has been experiencing a recent wave of COVID-19, which peaked in late April. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung highlighted in Parliament on May 9 that fewer seniors are keeping up with their COVID-19 vaccinations. He warned that this trend could weaken the population’s immunity against COVID-19 over time, potentially making it more vulnerable to the virus again.
He reiterated the importance of staying updated on vaccinations, stating, “The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines continue to far outweigh the risks, and you should keep your vaccination updated.” This recommendation is supported by both the Expert Committee On COVID-19 Vaccination and the Health Sciences Authority.
