SINGAPORE— As one of the countries in the world with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates, Singapore has shown signs that the number of severe cases is not ballooning at the same pace as new infections, a senior health official stated on Friday.
The nation has reported 910 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest in 15 months, with 146 as the average new daily infections two weeks ago and 682 for the past week.
According to the health ministry, the number of people with serious conditions remain low, but 12 are in intensive care units (ICU) from the total of 837 people who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 as of Thursday.
Kenneth Mak, the director of medical services mentioned that if the pattern continues, the healthcare sector will be able to hold and cater to severe cases.
“While the indications are encouraging at this point, the data is still very early, and we do need to look at the situation over the next two weeks,” he added.
Singapore has had to pause its reopening due to the recent cases as its monitors severe cases in the next few weeks.
So far, out of the 5.7 million population of Singapore, 82 percent have been fully vaccinated already.
The nation has started to give booster shots to elderly and immunocompromised groups this week, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his shot on Friday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: insider.com)