COVID-19 cases jump by 75 per cent in a week, as Singapore 'strongly encourages' mask-wearing in crowded spots

Health Ministry will begin providing daily COVID-19 updates, and urges individuals with ARI symptoms to stay at home

Nisha Rahim
·News and Lifestyle Producer
·4 min read
Singapore's Ministry of Health strongly encourages the wearing of masks in crowded settings, emphasising caution indoors and around vulnerable individuals amidst rising COVID-19 cases.
Singapore's Ministry of Health strongly encourages the wearing of masks in crowded settings, emphasising caution indoors and around vulnerable individuals amidst rising COVID-19 cases. (PHOTO: by Maverick Asio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) "strongly encourages" mask-wearing in crowded settings, particularly indoors and when in contact with vulnerable individuals.

The ministry said on Friday (15 December) that the estimated count of COVID-19 cases from 3 to 9 December had gone up to 56,043 cases. This marked a 75 per cent increase compared to the previous week's count of 32,035 cases.

Hospitalisations also rose, with an average daily count of 350, up from 225 in the preceding week. The average daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases also climbed to nine compared to four cases the week before, said MOH in their update.

The majority of cases are attributed to the JN.1 variant, a sublineage of BA.2.86. However, MOH clarified that there's "no clear indication" suggesting these variants are more transmissible or result in more severe illness compared to other circulating variants.

On Thursday, Malaysia's health minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad also urged the public to also wear face masks in crowded places due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

This call came as reported cases in Malaysia nearly doubled in the latest report, just a few weeks before the year-end holidays and festivities.

COVID-19 cases surged by 75 per cent in just a week, reaching 56,043 reported cases from 3 to 9 December.
COVID-19 cases in Singapore surged by 75 per cent in just a week, reaching 56,043 reported cases from 3 to 9 December. (PHOTO: MOH website)

Managing acute respiratory infections and hospital visits

MOH has urged individuals to exercise personal and social responsibility. Those experiencing acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms should remain at home until the symptoms subside and to avoid contact with others.

Additionally, travellers were advised to wear masks at airports, obtain travel insurance, and steer clear of poorly-ventilated crowded areas.

"We urge the public to seek medical treatment at a hospital's Emergency Department only for serious or life-threatening emergencies," the ministry added.

"This will preserve our hospital capacity for patients who truly need acute hospital care and allow those with severe illness to receive timely treatment."

Preserving healthcare capacity

MOH also said it has been working with public hospitals for contingency planning, ensuring adequate manpower, and deferring non-urgent electives to maximise bed capacity for urgent cases requiring acute care.

"In addition, hospitals are tapping on step-down facilities like Transitional Care Facilities and alternative care models like Mobile Inpatient Care@Home (MIC@Home) to ensure proper right-siting of patients," it added.

The opening of a second COVID-19 treatment facility at Singapore Expo Hall 10 this weekend aims to accommodate over 80 stable patients not in need of intensive hospital care. If the need arises, the facility capacity at Singapore Expo can be further increased.

Ministry of Health collaborates with hospitals, focusing on contingency plans and staff resources while deferring non-urgent procedures.
Ministry of Health collaborates with hospitals, focusing on contingency plans and staff resources while deferring non-urgent procedures.(PHOTO: Getty Images)

MOH adopts daily COVID-19 updates for precision in case estimation

MOH will also be providing daily updates on the estimated number of COVID-19 cases starting from Tuesday (19 December), shifting from the previous weekly reporting schedule.

To ensure a more precise count of local COVID-19 cases, the ministry is employing a method that factors in various elements:

  • Number of ARI attendances at polyclinics;

  • Proportion of polyclinic ARI samples that tests positive for COVID-19 per epidemiological week;

  • Share of national ARI cases observed in polyclinics.

"As COVID-19 testing is no longer routinely required in DORSCON Green, the number of reported COVID-19 cases is expected to under-represent the actual situation," the ministry said.

Collective action and vaccination's role

MOH reiterated the significance of up-to-date vaccination, noting its effectiveness in preventing severe illness.

"Hospitalisation rates are considerably lower among those who have kept up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination (additional dose received within the last 12 months), compared with those who have not," the ministry said.

MOH's analysis highlights significantly lower hospitalisation rates among individuals up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (additional dose received within the last 12 months)
MOH's analysis highlights significantly lower hospitalisation rates among individuals up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (additional dose received within the last 12 months) (PHOTO: Getty Images)

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