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Thursday
September 16 2021

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SINGAPORE - It will be an unprecedented accomplishment for Singapore to ride out the current wave of infections without paying a price in human lives, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Sept 15).

This is why the country is watching so closely to see if more Covid-19 cases will lead to more severe illness and death.

Speaking virtually at the Asean-EU Health Summit, Mr Ong noted that smaller European countries such as Denmark currently have very few deaths now that most people have been vaccinated. But these countries managed to do so only after they went through several waves of illness.

"But you can see that after going through such waves and incurring many deaths, they settled down to a level where society can get back to normal," he said.

In contrast, Singapore's current wave of transmission started 23 days ago, with about 6,600 new infections in that time. There were also seven admissions to intensive care and two deaths, which were predominantly accounted for by unvaccinated people.

The country is riding this wave in a "relatively naive state, without natural antibodies but with vaccine-generated immunity", Mr Ong said. Thus, it is prudent for the Republic to hold its position while deciding on its next steps.

Asked if Covid-19 vaccinations would become mandatory, the minister said Singapore's decision to make them optional is in line with what most other countries are doing.

Masks, however, are likely to be "one of the last things to go". This is because they are a simple, yet effective, method of slowing down the virus' spread.

The hybrid event, which was organised by the EU-Asean Business Council, saw experts from around the region discussing health solutions for a post-pandemic world.

Mr Ong, who was asked to share his thoughts on Singapore's experience, said five things have helped the country bear up under the pandemic's onslaught. They also have long-term implications for the nation's healthcare system.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (left, on screen) gives a virtual keynote speech at the Asean-EU Health Summit, on Sept 15, 2021. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Vaccination has helped save lives, while a strong primary and community care system acted as a first line of defence by picking up Covid-19 cases early.

Telemedicine - which had a "patchy" take-up rate before the pandemic hit - was quickly scaled up, especially since more patients are set to recover at home rather than in hospitals or community care facilities.

People also began observing better personal hygiene - a habit which Mr Ong hopes will persist in the post-pandemic world.

Lastly, Singapore is building up its capabilities to manufacture and distribute vaccines. At present, the country serves as a vaccine distribution centre to Australia, New Zealand and countries in South-east Asia.

Three major pharmaceutical companies - BioNTech, Sanofi and Thermo Fisher Scientific - also have plans to set up vaccine manufacturing facilities here.

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Next few weeks critical as Singapore faces unprecedented Covid-19 situation: Ong Ye Kung

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SINGAPORE - It will be an unprecedented accomplishment for Singapore to ride out the current wave of infections without paying a price in human lives, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Sept 15). This is why the country is watching so closely to see if more Covid-19 cases will lead to more severe illness and death.

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SINGAPORE - Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has apologised to Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai for remarks the minister made in Parliament.

Dr Balakrishnan, in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Sept 15), said: "I called Mr Leong Mun Wai today to apologise for my private comments to a colleague in Parliament yesterday.

"I disagree with him on the issue, but I should not have said what I said. Mr Leong has accepted my apology."

During a marathon debate on two motions on jobs and livelihoods in the House on Tuesday, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Mr Leong had several exchanges after Dr Tan delivered his speech.

At one point, after Mr Leong had spoken, a voice could be heard saying "he's illiterate".

Later, after another exchange between Dr Tan and Mr Leong, a microphone picked up someone saying: "Seriously, how did he get into RI?... Must have been a lousy school."

It is understood that these remarks were made by Dr Balakrishnan.

Dr Tan is then heard replying: "I'm from Monk's Hill."

RI refers to Raffles Institution, where Mr Leong studied in the 1970s, while Dr Tan studied at Monk's Hill Secondary School. Dr Balakrishnan received his early education at Anglo-Chinese School.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mr Leong said he received a call from Dr Balakrishnan on Wednesday and that the minister conveyed his apology for his comments.

Mr Leong said he accepted the apology.

He added: "I am also curious to know who are the other persons who were involved in the conversation and the reason why they held the institution that I attended in contempt."

He also called for everyone to put their time to better use for Singapore and Singaporeans.

PSP, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, made reference to the incident.

It said: "Yes, our maiden parliamentary motion may have been rejected by Parliament. But we believe the public knows and understands why we had to table the motion and get this debate going.

"Unlike some quarters who may find dissenting voices illiterate, we have confidence that our fellow Singaporeans are enlightened and educated, and will not miss the wood for the trees."

Video clips of the comments have been widely shared on social media platforms.

Netizens speculated that the voice was that of Dr Balakrishnan, who was sitting next to Dr Tan.

The exchange may have been picked up by the microphone that Dr Tan had used, which he left on after he delivered his speech.

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Vivian Balakrishnan apologises to PSP's Leong Mun Wai after 'illiterate' comment circulates online

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SINGAPORE - Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has apologised to Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai for remarks the minister made in Parliament. Dr Balakrishnan, in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Sept 15), said: "I called Mr Leong Mun Wai today to apologise for my private comments to a colleague in Parliament yesterday.

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COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Transmission of the virus occurs primarily through the respiratory droplets of infected people.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. While some people may not experience any symptoms at all, others may experience Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell.

What should I do if I suspect that I have COVID-19, e.g., have acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, or sore throat)?"

Medically vulnerable persons (i.e. seniors and those with chronic medical conditions) that have ARI symptoms, as well as persons with severe, prolonged or worsening ARI symptoms, should see a doctor. The updated advisory for persons who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 can be found at this link.

Persons with mild ARI symptoms should stay at home until symptoms resolve.

If you test positive with an ART test, you should regard yourself as being infected with COVID-19.

Avoid close contact with others while still symptomatic. You may return to normal activities when your symptoms resolve.

If you have a need to go out while symptomatic, please exercise social responsibility to avoid infecting others - wear a mask, minimise your social interactions and avoid crowded places, do not visit vulnerable settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, and avoid contact with vulnerable persons, such as the elderly.

If you are unable to avoid contact with vulnerable persons despite being symptomatic (e.g., due to essential work or caregiving responsibilities), do take additional necessary precautions (e.g., wearing a mask, practice good hand hygiene) when interacting with them, until you test negative.

How do I protect myself against COVID-19?

Vaccination remains our first line of defence against COVID-19. Our high vaccination rates have been pivotal to enable us to weather successive waves of COVID-19 infections, build up our societal resilience, protect our healthcare system, and arrive at the endemic COVID-19 norm today. The latest vaccination guidelines can be found at this link.

Do I need to wear a mask?

While no longer required under the temporary COVID-19 regulations, the MOH will retain the practice of mask-wearing for visitors, staff and patients in healthcare and residential care settings, where there is interaction with patients and in indoor patient-facing areas.

You are encouraged to wear a mask outside your home especially if you are elderly or immuno-compromised, in crowded places, when visiting or interacting with vulnerable persons, or while you are unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections.

Travel Advisory

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Ministry of Health (MOH) is an innovative, people-centred organisation, committed to medical excellence, the promotion of good health, the reduction of illness and access to good and affordable healthcare for all Singaporeans, appropriate to their needs.