Despite the spike to over 14,000 cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions remain low.
SINGAPORE: COVID-19 infections in Singapore have more than doubled in a week, rising from 6,401 cases to 14,843 for the period of Sept 17 to 23, 2023, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Oct 2). Despite the surge, MOH emphasized that these figures remain low compared to previous infection waves.
Crucially, hospitalizations and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions have remained stable, with no significant rise reported. MOH attributed the increase to several factors, including waning population immunity, the emergence of new variants, and greater community interactions and travel.
The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and advises the public to maintain good personal hygiene and stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Those aged 60 and older, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities are encouraged to get a booster dose about one year after their last booster.
Omicron Variants Dominate
All current COVID-19 cases in Singapore stem from the Omicron strain, which first emerged in late 2021. Nearly half of the recent infections are attributed to the HK.3 sub-variant of EG.5.1, the dominant strain over the past three months.
Global COVID-19 Trends
Globally, COVID-19 cases are also on the rise. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported increasing infection rates in over half of European countries, with limited spikes in hospitalizations and ICU admissions. In response, France has launched a new vaccination campaign targeting older and vulnerable populations with updated vaccines tailored to Omicron variants.
Similarly, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, and Bulgaria have initiated vaccination drives ahead of the colder months. In the United States, Moderna and Pfizer have released updated vaccines for newer variants, while Novavax’s updated vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Oct 3.
The US government has also resumed its free at-home COVID-19 testing program as hospitalizations have increased in recent weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
