Singapore has seen a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, largely driven by the highly contagious XBB variants of the virus. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has stated that infection waves are expected “from time to time”, and has urged the public to remain vigilant in adhering to safety measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing. With concerns growing over the continued spread of the virus and its impact on the city-state’s economy, it remains to be seen what measures will be taken to contain the outbreak and keep citizens safe.
As restrictions are being lifted and people are returning to their normal routines, health clinics have predicted a surge in COVID-19 cases in Singapore in the near future, but they expect the situation to stabilise eventually.
Dr Chua, a medical practitioner, has suggested that if COVID-19 follows the pattern of other respiratory viruses like influenza, then “we might see spikes during the winter seasons”. Therefore, clinics are bracing for an increase in cases in the coming months.
However, the good news is that COVID-19 is now being treated as endemic in Singapore, which means that doctors are shifting their focus away from the headline case numbers. According to Dr Wong Kia Boon, communications director of OneCare Medical, the current strains of COVID-19 cause only minor symptoms in the vast majority of cases, so there is little cause for concern.
His company’s clinics have stopped swabbing patients for verification or certification and only do so if patients need it for administrative purposes. Dr Wong also stated that there is rigorous monitoring for any emerging strains of the virus that could cause severe illness.
“Guidelines will certainly evolve to deal with any emerging trend should this ever happen.”
As Singapore comes to terms with living with the virus, the Health Ministry and doctors are reminding people to get their COVID-19 booster shots when due and to maintain good personal habits such as wearing masks in crowded areas and seeking medical help if feeling unwell.
As Singaporeans return to their daily lives, it is crucial for individuals to continue practising good personal hygiene and safety measures to protect themselves and others around them. COVID-19 will continue to be a threat for some time to come, but with the right precautions and guidance from healthcare professionals, we can all learn to live with the virus and get back to some sense of normalcy.
