Masks return as Singapore logs over 56,000 Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations rise

Singapore Covid Cases: Singapore’s health ministry said that the Covid cases in the first week of December rose to 56,043.

Singapore witnessed a major spike in Covid cases as in the first week of this month- December 3 to December 9- the estimated number of infections due to coronavirus rose to 56,043. Following the spike in cases, Singapore’s health ministry advised mask usage in crowded places, particularly indoors. Travellers were also urged to adopt precautions such as mask-wearing at airports and avoiding poorly ventilated crowded areas.

Singapore’s health ministry said that the Covid cases in the first week of December rose to 56,043, compared to 32,035 in the previous week. Average daily Covid hospitalisations rose to 350 from 225 the week before, and the average daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases increased to nine, compared to four in the previous week, it informed.

Why is there an uptick in Covid cases in Singapore

The dominant strain causing these infections has been identified as JN.1, a sublineage of BA.2.86.

“Based on the available international and local data, there is currently no clear indication that BA.2.86 or JN.1 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants,” authorities said.

What measures have been taken amid spike in Covid cases in Singapore

Singapore implemented additional measures amid the uptick in Covid cases.

Public hospitals are building a contingency plan- bolstering manpower, deferring non-urgent elective procedures and reducing step-down facilities.

Another Covid-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) has been opened at Singapore EXPO Hall 10.

The public has been urged to stay home in case of experiencing acute respiratory infection symptoms.

The health ministry is also increasing information around vaccination.

Singapore Health Ministry will also provide daily updates on Covid-19 numbers.