Next Covid-19 wave could hit S'pore in July or August: Ong Ye Kung

According to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, the second Covid-19 wave might impact Singapore in July or August, and all healthcare settings must be prepared.

Singapore will not be able to replicate its actions during the Omicron wave when many individuals were rushed to public hospitals because their facilities were unable to cope. Nursing homes, public hospitals, and private hospitals are all options.

Mr. Ong stated at his ministry's annual work plan seminar on Thursday that "every healthcare setting needs to be Covid-ready" (June 2). "Vaccination aids the majority of people in recovering without issues."

The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants are driving a Covid-19 wave in Singapore.

Cases peaked lower than with the original Omicron wave, according to Mr. Ong. The number of people admitted to hospitals and the number of people who died did not increase significantly.

Singapore can be "quietly optimistic" after multiple Covid-19 waves, especially since vaccination coverage is high and mask-on restrictions are still in place.

It needs to beef up its defences. Aside from guaranteeing that all healthcare facilities are equipped to handle Covid-19 patients, the country must also increase the number of hospital beds accessible.

Mr. Ong employs three techniques.

To begin with, hospitals have implemented home care programmes, which have freed up beds and allowed patients to receive care at home.

Long-term hospital patients are awaiting placement in a nursing home. If Singapore adds nursing home beds, these people could be relocated.

Mr. Ong believes that the country's community treatment facilities need to be updated.

Last year, these facilities were opened for senior Covid-19 patients in good health who required more frequent monitoring.

He believes they must now be reconfigured to take any patient who does not require acute hospital care.

Singapore, according to Mr. Ong, needs to persuade 60-year-olds to obtain booster doses. Only 12% of people in this age range have.