SINGAPORE, May 21 — Singapore is monitoring a fresh rise in Covid-19 infections after weekly cases jumped by nearly 60 per cent, although authorities said there is no sign that circulating variants are causing more severe illness.
According to Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the estimated number of Covid-19 infections rose to 12,700 cases in the week of May 10 to 16, up from 8,000 cases the week before, CNA reported.
Average daily hospitalisations also climbed from 56 to 73 cases over the same period, while intensive care admissions remained low at around one case a day on average.
“As with other endemic respiratory diseases, periodic Covid-19 waves are expected throughout the year. There is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants,” the agency said.
The CDA said Singapore’s public hospitals remain able to cope with the increase, adding that waning immunity among the population could be contributing to the latest wave.
The NB.1.8.1 variant — a descendant of the JN.1 strain — now accounts for more than half of locally sequenced Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
Authorities said current vaccines remain effective against the variant and urged higher-risk groups, including those aged 60 and above and medically vulnerable individuals, to keep their vaccinations updated.
The CDA also advised people feeling unwell to minimise social interactions, practise good hygiene and wear masks if showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat or a runny nose.