COVID-19 cases down but remain elevated, MOH calls for more to get booster jabs (2024)

SINGAPORE: At least 30 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to the heartlands this month as the Health Ministry (MOH) extends their reach amid the current COVID-19 wave.

Cases have dropped for three straight weeks since peaking in May. About 12,600 infections were recorded from Jun 9 to 16, down from 16,800 the week before.

The number of hospitalised cases also dropped to 195, from the previous week’s 236.

However, daily intensive care unit (ICU) cases rose by one to four on the average.

MOH is calling on the community to keep up to date with boosters to prevent severe illness, and has ramped up operating hours and locations of vaccination sites.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jun 25) updated the public thatthe COVID-19 wave driven by the KP.1 and KP.2 subvariants is on the wane.

Mr Ong said he had hoped Singapore's healthcare system would not be adversely impacted by the wave and that it was better publicly to explain the concerns to the population, "sothat we were mentally prepared for what might come".

Mr Ong added that "this will certainly not be the last COVID-19 infection wave".

"With each wave, we will worry about excessive patient load at hospitals. This is because the virus will continue to mutate, and our vaccine protection would have waned and weakened further with time.

"We will continue to watch the situation closely, and alert the public in good time," he said.

MOBILE VACCINATION

Mobile vaccination teams are deployed for a few days at each venue before moving to other locations. They operate from 9am to 5pm, with a break between 11.30am and 1pm.

Anyone can walk in without making an appointment, with slots allocated on a first come first served basis, subject to space and vaccine availability. Priority will be given to seniors aged 60 and above.

When CNA visited one mobile vaccination station in Bedok over the weekend, patients were able to receive a shot in the arm in less than 10 minutes.

“I saw the site nearby, so I thought why not just drop by? It's convenient, I don't need to travel further out. One jab is one layer of defence,” 76-year-old resident Lau Hang Sia, who received his booster shot, told CNA.

Another resident Ng Choi Meng, 74, who was waiting in line for her turn, said: “I got COVID-19 two times already. Because I'm elderly, maybe if I get another time, (it’ll be) serious already. That's why I need (the) protection.”

Clinic chain Minmed Group, which currently operates two mobile teams, said each location has the capacity to accommodate about 75 patients a day. If there is a surge in demand, it will set up more booths and deploy additional manpower accordingly.

The stations offer updated versions of both the Pfizer and Moderna shots. There is also a doctor at each site to answer queries.

"Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines and are equally effective. People with concerns about the vaccines can approach our on-site doctor for further discussion,” said Dr Lock Jing Zhan.

“They may want to share about their medical history or past experience with the previous mRNA vaccines and from there, our on-site doctors can make further recommendations."

MOH said teams will continue to be deployed to more venues in the coming weeks to cater to demand.

EXTENDED HOURS

The five Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres across Singapore have also extended their operating hours until the end of the month.

The centres at Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Kaki Bukit, Sengkang and Woodlands now run from 9am to 7pm, instead of the usual closing time of 1pm.

MOH said more people have gotten their vaccination shots during the current wave of infections.

About 49,000 people received jabs between May 20 and Jun 16, five times more than the weeks before.

Dr Lock said that keeping up with vaccines is important, as COVID-19 – like all viruses– mutates and generates new variants.

“Regular booster shots help to stimulate the immune system that can reduce the severity of the illness and also reduce transmission if you do get infected,” he said.

This is even more so for the vulnerable population including the elderly, those with chronic conditions and the immunosuppressed.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY

The current number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore remains what MOH calls “elevated”, compared to earlier in the year.

As many Singaporeans return from overseas travel following the June school holidays, the health ministry said it will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Capacity at public hospitals also remains tight.

The National University Health System, which runs three hospitals, said it has seen more patients at its emergency departments, although ICU capacity remains stable.

The health cluster added that it is doing its best to optimise resources, and is reviewing elective procedures to ensure sufficient capacity for inpatients.

It warned that a longer waiting time may be expected at its emergency departments and urged patients to go to general practitioners, and only visit hospitals if they are facing serious or life-threatening conditions.