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The Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely tracking the recent rise in COVID-19 infections in Singapore. 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.
2. The estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of 5 to 11 May 2024 rose to 25,900 cases, compared to 13,700 cases in the previous week. The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose to about 250 from 181 the week before, while the average daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases remained low at three cases compared to two cases in the previous week.
3. 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.
4. 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 Organization 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.
Vaccination continues to be recommended to protect against severe illness
5. Even as we live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, we cannot afford to lower our guard. To date, about 80% 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.
6. Since COVID-19 vaccination started in 2020/2021, the vaccines have consistently been proven to be safe and effective in protecting individuals from severe illness. Billions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered globally and safety monitoring internationally has shown that the vaccine is safe. There have also been no long-term safety concerns with COVID-19 vaccination. Adverse effects from the vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines, have all been observed to occur shortly after vaccination.
7. Based on local data, keeping updated with vaccination (i.e. receiving an additional dose within the last year) has continued to be a key effective measure in preventing severe COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalisation or ICU admission. 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% higher in those who had not kept their vaccination updated compared to those who had.
8. 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%, when comparing those who received an updated vaccine to those who did not.
9. The protection against COVID-19 outweighs the risk from COVID-19 vaccination, and we urge individuals to keep updated with their COVID-19 vaccination. Those who are at greatest risk of severe disease, including individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals and residents of aged care facilities, are recommended to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for 2024, around one year (and not earlier than five months) after the last dose received. Next-of-kin of residents of aged care facilities (e.g. nursing homes) are reminded to provide consent (if necessary) in a timely manner, 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.
Stepping up our vaccination efforts
10. The updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to be free for all eligible residents. Leveraging the trusted relationship between our family doctors and patients, Healthier SG enrolees can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at about 250 participating Healthier SG clinics islandwide. Over the next few months, we will progressively expand the network of Healthier SG clinics offering COVID-19 vaccination to ensure its ready accessibility to the community. The public is advised to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments via the Health Appointment System https://book.health.gov.sg/covid or call the clinics directly before making their way down.
11. To extend our reach into the heartlands, particularly for our seniors, we will deploy additional Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVTs) to selected heartland locations in the coming weeks. Please refer to https://www.vaccine.gov.sg/locations/mvt for the MVTs’ deployment location and schedule.
12. From 21 May to 29 June 2024, the five Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) will extend their operating hours on Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays from 9am to 7pm, instead of the usual opening hours from 9am to 1pm. A longer waiting period should be expected on Fridays and Saturdays. Selected polyclinics will continue to offer vaccination. Appointment for these polyclinics can be made via HealthHub.
13. We will be sending out SMSs to individuals who have not taken any COVID-19 vaccination in the past 12 months, to remind them to keep their vaccination up to date. Please refer to https://gowhere.gov.sg/vaccine for the nearest vaccination site and the types of vaccines offered at each site.
Exercising personal and social responsibility
14. The public is urged to exercise personal and social responsibility. This includes maintaining good personal hygiene; reducing social interactions when feeling unwell; and wearing masks if medically vulnerable, in crowded areas, or when symptomatic. With the June holiday season approaching, those travelling overseas are reminded to be vigilant and to adopt relevant travel precautions. Please visit MOH’s Health Advisory for Travellers at www.moh.gov.sg/seeking-healthcare/overview-of-diseases/communicable-diseases/health-advisory-for-travellers/ for more information.
15. We also urge the public to reserve medical treatment at a hospital’s Emergency Department for serious or life-threatening emergencies, particularly if their symptoms are mild or if they have no medical vulnerabilities. This will preserve our hospital capacity for patients who need acute hospital care and allow those with severe illness to receive timely treatment.