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- Start date
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Youth here may have missed out on many experiences as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they have also gained grit, resilience and a strong sense of social responsibility, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday (June 18).
Speaking at the Varsity Voices Dialogue, he noted that young people in Singapore had their overseas trips and internships cancelled or cut short, and graduation trips and prom nights scrapped.
Athletes could not participate in the National School Games, and many students did not have a proper commencement ceremony to mark their graduation.
About 250 students from polytechnics, junior colleges, the Institute of Technical Education and universities, as well as various faculty members, attended the closed-door session on Saturday, which was held at the NTUC Centre in Marina Boulevard.
The session involved a dialogue on youth's perceptions of the impact of the pandemic on society, as well as the challenges and concerns of living with endemic Covid-19.
During his speech, Mr Ong said that there is a need to make the world a better place post-pandemic, and touched on the various ways in which Covid-19 had accelerated change here in the education, transport and healthcare sectors.
He noted that youth these days are living through challenges such as a heightened risk of geopolitical conflict, climate change, technology reshaping the way people live their lives, and "the worst global pandemic crisis in the modern world".
But he also highlighted the various efforts of students to help those around them during the Covid-19 outbreak, including delivering food to those who were quarantined, giving up their rooms for migrant workers during the outbreaks in dormitories, and manning vaccination centres and pandemic call centres.
Mr Ong said: "Despite what you have lost, you have the honour of being the generation that went through school life during the pandemic. You lost something, but you also gained a lot, in terms of grit, in terms of resilience and that strong sense of social responsibility."
Speaking at the session, National University of Singapore (NUS) student Lee Wei Yang, 24, who moderated the dialogue and was part of its organising committee, said: "(The pandemic) has impacted us personally in many areas, such as our mental and physical health, our interpersonal skills, our relationships, and our plans and priorities for the future."
He added: "Every generation is only the future once, and ours must rise to the occasion to help shape the Singapore that we will one day inherit. We may be Generation Covid, but we ought to still be informed citizens and do our part."
Speaking to The Straits Times after the session, some of the dialogue's organisers said that the pandemic had brought about unique challenges for their generation.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaks with youths at the the NTUC Centre in Marina Boulevard. PHOTO: REACH, MCI
Ms Ritu Warathe, a 23-year-old student at NUS, and Ms Andrea Tay, a 21-year-old studying at Nanyang Technological University, said that isolation and adapting to new forms of independent learning - as a result of safe distancing measures - had been difficult to deal with, especially at such an important time in their lives.
Looking to the future, Ms Ritu said that she, like many in her generation, is concerned about finding a job in the post-pandemic economy.
Ms Tay said given that her university education so far had been virtual, she was concerned about how well-equipped she was to perform in the workplace, compared with those who had undergone the traditional, physical university experience.
But Ms Ritu, adding that her generation has been exposed to new modes of learning and the use of technology in their education, said: "We've learnt to be adaptable and flexible, (and work) with the cards we have been given."
Added Ms Tay: "I feel very much less vulnerable to sudden changes, because we were already pushed into them (during Covid-19). So in that sense, there is a lot of certainty that no matter what comes our way, we will handle it well."
Acknowledging that the younger generation is facing a situation that is "very daunting and very uncertain", Mr Ong said: "If you don't know what the future brings, rest assured it is very normal. Never believe it when people tell you this younger generation does not measure up to the last.
"It all depends on what you learn from your life experience beyond your classroom, and what you do with it. So let go of what is lost and you cannot control. Live life gloriously and spend time with your loved ones."
S'pore youth showed grit, resilience and social responsibility during Covid-19: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - Youth here may have missed out on many experiences as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they have also gained grit, resilience and a strong sense of social responsibility, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday (June 18).
Speaking at the Varsity Voices Dialogue, he noted that young people in Singapore had their overseas trips and internships cancelled or cut short, and graduation trips and prom nights scrapped.
Athletes could not participate in the National School Games, and many students did not have a proper commencement ceremony to mark their graduation.
About 250 students from polytechnics, junior colleges, the Institute of Technical Education and universities, as well as various faculty members, attended the closed-door session on Saturday, which was held at the NTUC Centre in Marina Boulevard.
The session involved a dialogue on youth's perceptions of the impact of the pandemic on society, as well as the challenges and concerns of living with endemic Covid-19.
During his speech, Mr Ong said that there is a need to make the world a better place post-pandemic, and touched on the various ways in which Covid-19 had accelerated change here in the education, transport and healthcare sectors.
He noted that youth these days are living through challenges such as a heightened risk of geopolitical conflict, climate change, technology reshaping the way people live their lives, and "the worst global pandemic crisis in the modern world".
But he also highlighted the various efforts of students to help those around them during the Covid-19 outbreak, including delivering food to those who were quarantined, giving up their rooms for migrant workers during the outbreaks in dormitories, and manning vaccination centres and pandemic call centres.
Mr Ong said: "Despite what you have lost, you have the honour of being the generation that went through school life during the pandemic. You lost something, but you also gained a lot, in terms of grit, in terms of resilience and that strong sense of social responsibility."
Speaking at the session, National University of Singapore (NUS) student Lee Wei Yang, 24, who moderated the dialogue and was part of its organising committee, said: "(The pandemic) has impacted us personally in many areas, such as our mental and physical health, our interpersonal skills, our relationships, and our plans and priorities for the future."
He added: "Every generation is only the future once, and ours must rise to the occasion to help shape the Singapore that we will one day inherit. We may be Generation Covid, but we ought to still be informed citizens and do our part."
Speaking to The Straits Times after the session, some of the dialogue's organisers said that the pandemic had brought about unique challenges for their generation.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaks with youths at the the NTUC Centre in Marina Boulevard. PHOTO: REACH, MCI
Ms Ritu Warathe, a 23-year-old student at NUS, and Ms Andrea Tay, a 21-year-old studying at Nanyang Technological University, said that isolation and adapting to new forms of independent learning - as a result of safe distancing measures - had been difficult to deal with, especially at such an important time in their lives.
Looking to the future, Ms Ritu said that she, like many in her generation, is concerned about finding a job in the post-pandemic economy.
Ms Tay said given that her university education so far had been virtual, she was concerned about how well-equipped she was to perform in the workplace, compared with those who had undergone the traditional, physical university experience.
But Ms Ritu, adding that her generation has been exposed to new modes of learning and the use of technology in their education, said: "We've learnt to be adaptable and flexible, (and work) with the cards we have been given."
Added Ms Tay: "I feel very much less vulnerable to sudden changes, because we were already pushed into them (during Covid-19). So in that sense, there is a lot of certainty that no matter what comes our way, we will handle it well."
Acknowledging that the younger generation is facing a situation that is "very daunting and very uncertain", Mr Ong said: "If you don't know what the future brings, rest assured it is very normal. Never believe it when people tell you this younger generation does not measure up to the last.
"It all depends on what you learn from your life experience beyond your classroom, and what you do with it. So let go of what is lost and you cannot control. Live life gloriously and spend time with your loved ones."
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Seniors who have taken their vaccine booster shots are three times less likely to die or become severely ill from Covid-19, compared with those in the same cohort who had only two shots, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday (June 20).
Seniors with all three shots have a three in 1,000 chance of these negative outcomes, while those with two shots have a 10 in 1,000 chance of this happening.
Those who remain unvaccinated are at the highest risk, with a 40 in 1,000 chance of death or critical illness requiring intensive care.
"It makes a difference whether you have taken zero, one, two or three shots," Mr Ong said in a video clip uploaded on TikTok, where he urged the elderly to get their shots ahead of the next Covid-19 wave.
"So don't delay any more - go get your booster shot."
There are currently 80,000 people aged 60 and above who have not taken their booster shots.
Singapore began rolling out its booster shot programme nine months ago, starting with seniors, residents of aged-care facilities and people who have weakened immune systems.
At present, 77 per cent of the country's total population, or around 4.2 million people, have had booster shots.
Mr Ong said seniors can walk into any vaccination centre to get their shots, adding that the Ministry of Health will deploy mobile vaccination teams soon.
He had previously warned that Singapore is likely to see another Covid-19 wave in July or August.
This will be driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants, which were first detected in South Africa. Although the new variants are believed to be more transmissible, they have not been linked to higher hospitalisation and death rates.
"In the next one to two months, we expect a new Omicron wave," Mr Ong said in the video. "But not to worry - with vaccination we can all be safe."
'Don't delay any more': 80,000 seniors urged to take booster shots with possible new Covid-19 wave
SINGAPORE - Seniors who have taken their vaccine booster shots are three times less likely to die or become severely ill from Covid-19, compared with those in the same cohort who had only two shots, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday (June 20).
Seniors with all three shots have a three in 1,000 chance of these negative outcomes, while those with two shots have a 10 in 1,000 chance of this happening.
Those who remain unvaccinated are at the highest risk, with a 40 in 1,000 chance of death or critical illness requiring intensive care.
"It makes a difference whether you have taken zero, one, two or three shots," Mr Ong said in a video clip uploaded on TikTok, where he urged the elderly to get their shots ahead of the next Covid-19 wave.
"So don't delay any more - go get your booster shot."
There are currently 80,000 people aged 60 and above who have not taken their booster shots.
Singapore began rolling out its booster shot programme nine months ago, starting with seniors, residents of aged-care facilities and people who have weakened immune systems.
At present, 77 per cent of the country's total population, or around 4.2 million people, have had booster shots.
Mr Ong said seniors can walk into any vaccination centre to get their shots, adding that the Ministry of Health will deploy mobile vaccination teams soon.
He had previously warned that Singapore is likely to see another Covid-19 wave in July or August.
This will be driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants, which were first detected in South Africa. Although the new variants are believed to be more transmissible, they have not been linked to higher hospitalisation and death rates.
"In the next one to two months, we expect a new Omicron wave," Mr Ong said in the video. "But not to worry - with vaccination we can all be safe."
from straitstimes.com:
YOGYAKARTA - The Group of 20 (G-20) has received pledges totalling US$1.2 billion (S$1.7 billion) so far for its fund that will help countries better prepare for future pandemics, said Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Sadikin on Monday (June 20).
The initial US$1.2 billion commitment comes from the United States, European Union, Indonesia, Singapore and Germany, as well as a private company.
Speaking on the first day of the G-20 meeting of health ministers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Mr Budi - who is chairing the meeting - said the planned Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) hopes to raise US$10.5 billion to achieve its objectives.
These include procuring vaccines, drugs, testing kits and equipment for lower- to middle-income countries.
"As we look forward to a world where the pandemic has abated, we should seize the moment to build a more resilient global health system, not only for today's purpose, but also for tomorrow's challenges. It is better to prepare an umbrella before it rains," said Mr Budi.
Indonesia took over the G-20 presidency from Italy last December.
Attended by 80 delegates in person and more than 50 online, the hybrid meeting also discussed ways to redistribute global manufacturing and research hubs to help ensure countries around the world have more equal capacities to fight a future pandemic.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Ong said the planned establishment of FIF and the significant initial amount pledged to it were a major development to the health sector.
"The tasks ahead in making FIF work are numerous and complex… There are a range of tasks we need to do from strengthening surveillance, vaccine development, production capacity, distribution, etc."
He said clarity on how the fund would be used, and how it would be governed and deployed - with the close involvement of the World Health Organisation (WHO) - would allow potential donor countries to convey this clearly to their citizens, and generate that momentum needed for FIF.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who attended Monday's meeting in person, said: "Crucially, the governance of FIF must be inclusive, with a structure that enables representation of all countries.
"And it must also be coherent with other parts of the global architecture for health emergency preparedness and response."
Other senior officials who spoke on Monday included Italian diplomatic adviser to the Minister for Health Davide La Cecilia and Russian Deputy Health Minister Oleg Salagay.
Speaking to the press on Monday night after the meeting, Mr Budi said: "We will discuss ways… to raise and mobilise resources to make emergency medical countermeasures accessible to all, so that there is an equitable response to future pandemics."
He added: "Over US$1 billion has been pledged in a relatively fast manner. Now we are thinking about how to have access to the goods using that fund. We are talking to global pharmaceutical companies."
Mr Budi said the grouping of the world's major economies would seek a commitment from these firms.
"If a pandemic happens, there will be cooperation between governments and the private sector."
Monday's meeting of health ministers and deputy ministers will be followed by a G-20 joint health and finance ministers conference on Tuesday.
Mr Budi stressed that among the deliverables expected from the two meetings would be an agreement to standardise Covid-19 protocols to make international travel easier, and to improve sharing of data to help identify any pathogen - virus, bacteria, or parasites - that could potentially cause a future pandemic.
The actions identified during the two-day meeting will be presented at the G-20 leaders' summit in Bali on Nov 15 and 16, where member countries are expected to pledge commitment to implement the commitments made.
G-20 receives $1.7b pledge to help countries in need to prepare for future pandemics
YOGYAKARTA - The Group of 20 (G-20) has received pledges totalling US$1.2 billion (S$1.7 billion) so far for its fund that will help countries better prepare for future pandemics, said Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Sadikin on Monday (June 20).
The initial US$1.2 billion commitment comes from the United States, European Union, Indonesia, Singapore and Germany, as well as a private company.
Speaking on the first day of the G-20 meeting of health ministers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Mr Budi - who is chairing the meeting - said the planned Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) hopes to raise US$10.5 billion to achieve its objectives.
These include procuring vaccines, drugs, testing kits and equipment for lower- to middle-income countries.
"As we look forward to a world where the pandemic has abated, we should seize the moment to build a more resilient global health system, not only for today's purpose, but also for tomorrow's challenges. It is better to prepare an umbrella before it rains," said Mr Budi.
Indonesia took over the G-20 presidency from Italy last December.
Attended by 80 delegates in person and more than 50 online, the hybrid meeting also discussed ways to redistribute global manufacturing and research hubs to help ensure countries around the world have more equal capacities to fight a future pandemic.
Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was among the senior officials who attended the meeting. Singapore is not a G-20 member, but has been regularly invited to participate in the summits and their related meetings.Speaking at the meeting, Mr Ong said the planned establishment of FIF and the significant initial amount pledged to it were a major development to the health sector.
"The tasks ahead in making FIF work are numerous and complex… There are a range of tasks we need to do from strengthening surveillance, vaccine development, production capacity, distribution, etc."
He said clarity on how the fund would be used, and how it would be governed and deployed - with the close involvement of the World Health Organisation (WHO) - would allow potential donor countries to convey this clearly to their citizens, and generate that momentum needed for FIF.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who attended Monday's meeting in person, said: "Crucially, the governance of FIF must be inclusive, with a structure that enables representation of all countries.
"And it must also be coherent with other parts of the global architecture for health emergency preparedness and response."
Other senior officials who spoke on Monday included Italian diplomatic adviser to the Minister for Health Davide La Cecilia and Russian Deputy Health Minister Oleg Salagay.
Speaking to the press on Monday night after the meeting, Mr Budi said: "We will discuss ways… to raise and mobilise resources to make emergency medical countermeasures accessible to all, so that there is an equitable response to future pandemics."
He added: "Over US$1 billion has been pledged in a relatively fast manner. Now we are thinking about how to have access to the goods using that fund. We are talking to global pharmaceutical companies."
Mr Budi said the grouping of the world's major economies would seek a commitment from these firms.
"If a pandemic happens, there will be cooperation between governments and the private sector."
Monday's meeting of health ministers and deputy ministers will be followed by a G-20 joint health and finance ministers conference on Tuesday.
Mr Budi stressed that among the deliverables expected from the two meetings would be an agreement to standardise Covid-19 protocols to make international travel easier, and to improve sharing of data to help identify any pathogen - virus, bacteria, or parasites - that could potentially cause a future pandemic.
The actions identified during the two-day meeting will be presented at the G-20 leaders' summit in Bali on Nov 15 and 16, where member countries are expected to pledge commitment to implement the commitments made.
OYK encourages you to get boosted. 
As we brace ourselves for a new wave of COVID-19 infections, #vaccinations and #boosters will be key to protecting ourselves and our loved ones.
To make it easier for our seniors to get boosted, we are deploying our Mobile Vaccination Teams at up to 50 sites in the heartlands.
So don’t hesitate. Let's encourage all our parents and grandparents to get boosted.
Ong Ye Kung
3 hrs ·As we brace ourselves for a new wave of COVID-19 infections, #vaccinations and #boosters will be key to protecting ourselves and our loved ones.
To make it easier for our seniors to get boosted, we are deploying our Mobile Vaccination Teams at up to 50 sites in the heartlands.
So don’t hesitate. Let's encourage all our parents and grandparents to get boosted.
OYK encourages boosters in Mandarin.
面对下一波疫情，我们应该尽快施打疫苗和追加剂，这才能保护好自己和亲人。
为了让乐龄人士更容易地接种追加剂，我们的流动接种团队将到全国各地的不同社区，有多达50 个地点。
别犹豫了。赶紧鼓励你的父母和阿公阿嬷去接种吧！
Ong Ye Kung
3 hrs ·面对下一波疫情，我们应该尽快施打疫苗和追加剂，这才能保护好自己和亲人。
为了让乐龄人士更容易地接种追加剂，我们的流动接种团队将到全国各地的不同社区，有多达50 个地点。
别犹豫了。赶紧鼓励你的父母和阿公阿嬷去接种吧！
OYK wants your views and suggestions.
Since the launch of our #HealthierSG public consultation on 18 May, we've received encouraging response from Singaporeans – close to 500 have joined us physically at our engagement sessions, and over 2,500 have contributed their views via our online survey.
Most of the feedback concerned having a dedicated doctor or clinic, preventive health plan, and community support.
These views and suggestions are valuable, to help us get a sense of what matters most to people, and how best to design the scheme to make it work. It will shape the White Paper to be tabled in Parliament later this year.
Watch the video for highlights of the engagement sessions. In the meantime, do continue to share your views with us at http://go.gov.sg/hsgsurvey.
Ong Ye Kung
2 hrs ·Since the launch of our #HealthierSG public consultation on 18 May, we've received encouraging response from Singaporeans – close to 500 have joined us physically at our engagement sessions, and over 2,500 have contributed their views via our online survey.
Most of the feedback concerned having a dedicated doctor or clinic, preventive health plan, and community support.
These views and suggestions are valuable, to help us get a sense of what matters most to people, and how best to design the scheme to make it work. It will shape the White Paper to be tabled in Parliament later this year.
Watch the video for highlights of the engagement sessions. In the meantime, do continue to share your views with us at http://go.gov.sg/hsgsurvey.
OYK answers questions about boosters.
Many have asked me questions about #boosters. So here are top 4 questions about the importance of boosters and who should take them.
很多人最近问我关于追加剂的一些问题。想要借此和大家分享关于追加剂的四大常见问题。
, ?
A booster, or third mRNA shot, is very important.
Because the vaccines were developed against the original ‘wild-type’ strain of COVID-19. Then, two shots were enough.
But as the virus mutates into Delta and now Omicron, three shots are needed to properly protect you against severe illness if infected.
- , , ?
Yes. Having an infection is not a substitute for taking the jab.
All of us react differently to the infection. So it is better for everyone to still take their booster, or a third shot. But if you are recently infected, wait for 90 days.
If you are very eager to take your booster, wait at least 28 days. But the effect after 90 days would be better.
, . , ?
Based on data for those in their 50s, 60s and 70s, protection against severe illness and hospitalisation remains very strong, 9 months after the first booster shot.
This is why we did not say we strongly recommend that you take the shot, but said we are offering these shots.
However, some could be living with the elderly, or have to travel, or have underlying illnesses that make them worried about their health, and they will want to take the second booster.
So judge your circumstances, and if you need to, just walk in and you will be able to take it.
?
All the vaccines are very good and effective, and there is no need to change the vaccine.
Many residents, especially seniors, may be worried about mRNA vaccines as they may have underlying illness, or experienced a bit of reaction after the second or third shot.
They can take the Novavax’s Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine. It has high efficacy and is based on more traditional technology.
我为什么需要打追加剂？
打追加剂，或是第三支信使核糖核酸（mRNA）疫苗，是非常重要的。
冠病疫苗最初研发时是用来对抗原始的冠病病毒。当时，两剂疫苗就够了。
但随着病毒变种成为德尔塔（Delta）变异毒株到现在的奥密克戎（Omicron），我们需要三支疫苗才可以得到更好的保护。如果还是被感染，可以减低重病的风险。
我感染过冠病，还需要打追加剂吗？
需要的。被冠病感染不能取代追加剂提供的保护。
这是因为每个人被感染后，会有不同的反应。有些人会产生有效的免疫反应，有些则不会。所以，每个人还是最好都去打追加剂。
不过，最少应该要等到染疫的28天之后。最好是等上90天才接种，效果会更好。
50，60和70岁的群体现在可以打第二支追加剂。如果我属于这个年龄层，我应该去打吗？
目前的数据显示，50，60和70岁的群体在接种第一支追加剂之后的九个月内，受到保护不会患重症、不需要住院的效果还是很强的。
这就是为什么政府没有强烈建议这个群体的人去打第二支追加剂，而是提供这个选择给那些有意这么做的人。
有些人可能因为家里有老人家，或者打算出国、或是自己目前患有某些疾病，担心感染冠病会病重等等原因，所以我们提供这些人打第二剂追加剂的选择。
所以你必须考虑自己的情况。如果有需要打第二支追加剂，你不必预约，可以直接去任何一家冠病疫苗接种中心。
我去打追加剂的时候需要换疫苗的品牌吗？
所有获批准的追加剂疫苗都非常有效，所以不需要刻意选择不同牌子的疫苗。
但是，我知道有些居民，尤其是年长者，对mRNA疫苗还是有些顾虑。如果是因为有潜在疾病，或是之前打了第二或第三剂后出现一些副作用，可以考虑改打诺瓦瓦克斯（Novavax）的疫苗。
诺瓦瓦克斯的疫苗的保护力良好，而且采用的是传统的疫苗制造技术。
Ong Ye Kung
14 hrs ·Many have asked me questions about #boosters. So here are top 4 questions about the importance of boosters and who should take them.
很多人最近问我关于追加剂的一些问题。想要借此和大家分享关于追加剂的四大常见问题。
A booster, or third mRNA shot, is very important.
Because the vaccines were developed against the original ‘wild-type’ strain of COVID-19. Then, two shots were enough.
But as the virus mutates into Delta and now Omicron, three shots are needed to properly protect you against severe illness if infected.
Yes. Having an infection is not a substitute for taking the jab.
All of us react differently to the infection. So it is better for everyone to still take their booster, or a third shot. But if you are recently infected, wait for 90 days.
If you are very eager to take your booster, wait at least 28 days. But the effect after 90 days would be better.
Based on data for those in their 50s, 60s and 70s, protection against severe illness and hospitalisation remains very strong, 9 months after the first booster shot.
This is why we did not say we strongly recommend that you take the shot, but said we are offering these shots.
However, some could be living with the elderly, or have to travel, or have underlying illnesses that make them worried about their health, and they will want to take the second booster.
So judge your circumstances, and if you need to, just walk in and you will be able to take it.
All the vaccines are very good and effective, and there is no need to change the vaccine.
Many residents, especially seniors, may be worried about mRNA vaccines as they may have underlying illness, or experienced a bit of reaction after the second or third shot.
They can take the Novavax’s Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine. It has high efficacy and is based on more traditional technology.
打追加剂，或是第三支信使核糖核酸（mRNA）疫苗，是非常重要的。
冠病疫苗最初研发时是用来对抗原始的冠病病毒。当时，两剂疫苗就够了。
但随着病毒变种成为德尔塔（Delta）变异毒株到现在的奥密克戎（Omicron），我们需要三支疫苗才可以得到更好的保护。如果还是被感染，可以减低重病的风险。
需要的。被冠病感染不能取代追加剂提供的保护。
这是因为每个人被感染后，会有不同的反应。有些人会产生有效的免疫反应，有些则不会。所以，每个人还是最好都去打追加剂。
不过，最少应该要等到染疫的28天之后。最好是等上90天才接种，效果会更好。
目前的数据显示，50，60和70岁的群体在接种第一支追加剂之后的九个月内，受到保护不会患重症、不需要住院的效果还是很强的。
这就是为什么政府没有强烈建议这个群体的人去打第二支追加剂，而是提供这个选择给那些有意这么做的人。
有些人可能因为家里有老人家，或者打算出国、或是自己目前患有某些疾病，担心感染冠病会病重等等原因，所以我们提供这些人打第二剂追加剂的选择。
所以你必须考虑自己的情况。如果有需要打第二支追加剂，你不必预约，可以直接去任何一家冠病疫苗接种中心。
所有获批准的追加剂疫苗都非常有效，所以不需要刻意选择不同牌子的疫苗。
但是，我知道有些居民，尤其是年长者，对mRNA疫苗还是有些顾虑。如果是因为有潜在疾病，或是之前打了第二或第三剂后出现一些副作用，可以考虑改打诺瓦瓦克斯（Novavax）的疫苗。
诺瓦瓦克斯的疫苗的保护力良好，而且采用的是传统的疫苗制造技术。
OYK introduces a major event.
A major event, the Global Health Security Conference, is currently being held in #Singapore. It is organised by the Global Health Security Network, with partners NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and the European University Institute.
Key players and decision makers, including several Health Ministers, a former President and Prime Ministers, are discussing the most pertinent issues to global pandemic response.
I gave the opening address yesterday, emphasising that despite hiccups and shortcomings, the world saw unprecedented global coordination and cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This spanned from record-breaking time in developing and delivering vaccines, to sharing of genome data, and now, the establishment of centralised funds to build up capabilities and narrow inequities.
Much work remains, but COVID-19 illustrates the need for multilateralism and the positive aspects of globalisation.
Ong Ye Kung
11 hrs ·A major event, the Global Health Security Conference, is currently being held in #Singapore. It is organised by the Global Health Security Network, with partners NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and the European University Institute.
Key players and decision makers, including several Health Ministers, a former President and Prime Ministers, are discussing the most pertinent issues to global pandemic response.
I gave the opening address yesterday, emphasising that despite hiccups and shortcomings, the world saw unprecedented global coordination and cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This spanned from record-breaking time in developing and delivering vaccines, to sharing of genome data, and now, the establishment of centralised funds to build up capabilities and narrow inequities.
Much work remains, but COVID-19 illustrates the need for multilateralism and the positive aspects of globalisation.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) spent $32.6 million last year to help 17,700 low-income households.
Of these, 1,220 households received more support, such as having case workers assigned to help them.
For this year, CDAC has set aside a budget of $36.4 million to assist about 18,000 households.
CDAC chairman Ong Ye Kung, who is also Health Minister, said on Tuesday (June 28): "Compared to the billions of dollars spent on government national schemes to uplift and assist low-income Singaporeans, the CDAC's budget is small. Our focus is on promoting social mobility through education."
He was speaking to the media after CDAC's annual general meeting at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Trade Association Hub at Jurong Town Hall.
This year marks CDAC's 30th anniversary - three decades of assisting low-income families in the Chinese community.
CDAC ensured that help continued to reach its beneficiaries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
CDAC board member Low Yen Ling, who is also Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, said on Tuesday that the council moved its tuition programme online so that students could continue learning.
It also offered about 13 per cent more tuition places and disbursed 17 per cent more bursaries, which benefited a record 8,520 students last year.
This year, CDAC increased the bursary quantum from $280 to $300 per year for primary pupils, and from $450 to $480 per year for secondary students.
It also provided casework support for 15 per cent more households to tide them over the challenging period.
CDAC also launched two new programmes last year - Project Fresh, which supports families with grocery vouchers, and Project Basic, which helps lower-income families defray the cost of Internet subscriptions.
It will continue focusing on its strategy of "Growing Grass, Planting Trees".
Under this strategy, the CDAC will implement three new initiatives to better support children from low-income families starting next year, said CDAC board member Koh Poh Koon, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Manpower.
CDAC will give children from low-income families a stronger educational foundation by enhancing its enrichment programmes for pre-schoolers, starting with K1 and K2 children.
The programmes will nurture their confidence, creativity and communication skills through play-based learning.
Parents will also be given knowledge about nutrition and health to support the development of their children.
CDAC will also provide longer term support for some children from low-income families.
CDAC board members after a general meeting at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Trade Association Hub. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
It will identify these children and journey with them from K2 to give them a sense of confidence and stability as they transition from primary, secondary and post-secondary years.
CDAC will match their learning needs to their programmes and provide mentors who can be trusted role models for them.
Lastly, CDAC will continue to enhance and broaden the learning experiences of students in its programmes.
For example, it has started to use edtech tools to provide a more personalised learning experience for some students.
To mark its 30th anniversary, CDAC will also organise special events and welcome its renovated headquarters at Tanjong Katong, 28 years after it moved in.
With the pandemic easing, CDAC is also looking forward to having more in-person events.
CDAC board member Baey Yam Keng, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, said that a record 1,260 volunteers were recruited last year.
CDAC has a pool of about 3,000 volunteers now and hopes to recruit more in the coming years.
Mr Ong thanked Ho Bee Land executive chairman Chua Thian Poh, 74, who is retiring from his position as chairman of CDAC's Board of Trustees after 26 years.
He will be replaced by Mr Roland Ng, 69, chief executive of home-grown crane rental company Tat Hong.
Mr Ong also expressed his gratitude to Mr Pok Cheng Chong, 54, who will step down as CDAC executive director after 10 years of service.
Educator Tan Yap Kin, 52, will take over as executive director from Wednesday.
CDAC spent $32.6m to help 17,700 households in 2021
SINGAPORE - The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) spent $32.6 million last year to help 17,700 low-income households.
Of these, 1,220 households received more support, such as having case workers assigned to help them.
For this year, CDAC has set aside a budget of $36.4 million to assist about 18,000 households.
CDAC chairman Ong Ye Kung, who is also Health Minister, said on Tuesday (June 28): "Compared to the billions of dollars spent on government national schemes to uplift and assist low-income Singaporeans, the CDAC's budget is small. Our focus is on promoting social mobility through education."
He was speaking to the media after CDAC's annual general meeting at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Trade Association Hub at Jurong Town Hall.
This year marks CDAC's 30th anniversary - three decades of assisting low-income families in the Chinese community.
CDAC ensured that help continued to reach its beneficiaries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
CDAC board member Low Yen Ling, who is also Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, said on Tuesday that the council moved its tuition programme online so that students could continue learning.
It also offered about 13 per cent more tuition places and disbursed 17 per cent more bursaries, which benefited a record 8,520 students last year.
This year, CDAC increased the bursary quantum from $280 to $300 per year for primary pupils, and from $450 to $480 per year for secondary students.
It also provided casework support for 15 per cent more households to tide them over the challenging period.
CDAC also launched two new programmes last year - Project Fresh, which supports families with grocery vouchers, and Project Basic, which helps lower-income families defray the cost of Internet subscriptions.
It will continue focusing on its strategy of "Growing Grass, Planting Trees".
Under this strategy, the CDAC will implement three new initiatives to better support children from low-income families starting next year, said CDAC board member Koh Poh Koon, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Manpower.
CDAC will give children from low-income families a stronger educational foundation by enhancing its enrichment programmes for pre-schoolers, starting with K1 and K2 children.
The programmes will nurture their confidence, creativity and communication skills through play-based learning.
Parents will also be given knowledge about nutrition and health to support the development of their children.
CDAC will also provide longer term support for some children from low-income families.
CDAC board members after a general meeting at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Trade Association Hub. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
It will identify these children and journey with them from K2 to give them a sense of confidence and stability as they transition from primary, secondary and post-secondary years.
CDAC will match their learning needs to their programmes and provide mentors who can be trusted role models for them.
Lastly, CDAC will continue to enhance and broaden the learning experiences of students in its programmes.
For example, it has started to use edtech tools to provide a more personalised learning experience for some students.
To mark its 30th anniversary, CDAC will also organise special events and welcome its renovated headquarters at Tanjong Katong, 28 years after it moved in.
With the pandemic easing, CDAC is also looking forward to having more in-person events.
CDAC board member Baey Yam Keng, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, said that a record 1,260 volunteers were recruited last year.
CDAC has a pool of about 3,000 volunteers now and hopes to recruit more in the coming years.
Mr Ong thanked Ho Bee Land executive chairman Chua Thian Poh, 74, who is retiring from his position as chairman of CDAC's Board of Trustees after 26 years.
He will be replaced by Mr Roland Ng, 69, chief executive of home-grown crane rental company Tat Hong.
Mr Ong also expressed his gratitude to Mr Pok Cheng Chong, 54, who will step down as CDAC executive director after 10 years of service.
Educator Tan Yap Kin, 52, will take over as executive director from Wednesday.
OYK met key leaders and decision makers. 
Over the last few days, I met key leaders and decision makers who were attending the Global Health Security Conference, to discuss how the world can strengthen its collective response to future pandemics.
I met the Health Ministers of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Uganda, Dr Joseph Phaahla and Dr Jane Ruth Aceng as well as Prof José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board.
#Singapore is fully committed to do our part to work with the global community to lay the foundation for a better post-pandemic world.
Ong Ye Kung
2 hrs ·Over the last few days, I met key leaders and decision makers who were attending the Global Health Security Conference, to discuss how the world can strengthen its collective response to future pandemics.
I met the Health Ministers of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Uganda, Dr Joseph Phaahla and Dr Jane Ruth Aceng as well as Prof José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board.
#Singapore is fully committed to do our part to work with the global community to lay the foundation for a better post-pandemic world.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - The next wave of Covid-19 infections in Singapore has arrived sooner than expected, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday (June 28).
Speaking to Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao after the 30th annual general meeting of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Mr Ong said many people had travelled overseas, including to Europe, during the June school holidays, and the recent increase in Covid-19 cases here could be related to that.
However, Mr Ong said he did not think this wave would be worse than the one in February this year that was caused by the BA.2 Omicron subvariant.
Cases in Europe and the United States are on the rise, with the new Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, steadily gaining ground.
Speaking in Mandarin, he said: "I had earlier said that the next wave might take place around July or August, but it's now here a little earlier, at the end of June - possibly due to the June holidays."
Mr Ong was referring to remarks he made on June 2, where he also said that every healthcare setting must be prepared to handle a surge in the number of Covid-19 patients.
On Tuesday, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health would continue to monitor the situation, and that it was important to ensure hospitals had enough support.
In that respect, the three new nursing homes that opened in April were very important, as hospitals could transfer elderly patients with only mild illness to these homes, thus relieving pressure on themselves.
Mr Ong also said that three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are required to protect people from the new Omicron subvariants and called on seniors to have their booster shots as soon as possible.
MOH said on Monday that about 45 per cent of the Covid-19 cases here in the last week were caused by the subvariants, with BA.5 estimated to have contributed to 40 per cent of all cases in the past week.
Covid-19 wave in S'pore has arrived earlier than expected, possibly due to holiday travels: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - The next wave of Covid-19 infections in Singapore has arrived sooner than expected, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday (June 28).
Speaking to Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao after the 30th annual general meeting of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Mr Ong said many people had travelled overseas, including to Europe, during the June school holidays, and the recent increase in Covid-19 cases here could be related to that.
However, Mr Ong said he did not think this wave would be worse than the one in February this year that was caused by the BA.2 Omicron subvariant.
Cases in Europe and the United States are on the rise, with the new Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, steadily gaining ground.
Speaking in Mandarin, he said: "I had earlier said that the next wave might take place around July or August, but it's now here a little earlier, at the end of June - possibly due to the June holidays."
Mr Ong was referring to remarks he made on June 2, where he also said that every healthcare setting must be prepared to handle a surge in the number of Covid-19 patients.
On Tuesday, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health would continue to monitor the situation, and that it was important to ensure hospitals had enough support.
In that respect, the three new nursing homes that opened in April were very important, as hospitals could transfer elderly patients with only mild illness to these homes, thus relieving pressure on themselves.
Mr Ong also said that three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are required to protect people from the new Omicron subvariants and called on seniors to have their booster shots as soon as possible.
MOH said on Monday that about 45 per cent of the Covid-19 cases here in the last week were caused by the subvariants, with BA.5 estimated to have contributed to 40 per cent of all cases in the past week.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - The official Gov.sg WhatsApp channel has put out its first Covid-19 advisory in three months, urging seniors here to get their booster jabs.
Those aged 60 and above should take their first booster without delay, while those 80 and above and the medically vulnerable are encouraged to take their second booster if it has been five months since their first booster, the channel said in an advisory on Wednesday (June 29) that was also pushed on its Telegram channel.
Those between the ages of 50 and 79 can opt to take their second booster to strengthen their protection against Covid-19.
About 70,000 seniors aged 60 and above have yet to take their first booster shot, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday (June 27) at the opening of three Covid-19 mobile vaccination sites.
As many as 50 such sites are being set up, mostly at residents' committee (RC) centres, to bring vaccination closer to seniors in their neighbourhoods.
The return and expansion of mobile vaccination sites come amid an uptick in the number of infections, driven by the newer BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants.
There were 11,504 new Covid-19 cases recorded in Singapore on Tuesday (June 28), more than double the 5,309 cases on Monday.
While priority will be given to seniors aged 60 and above to walk in and get their jabs, others can also do so at the mobile vaccination sites, subject to the availability of vaccination slots, the Ministry of Health has said.
Anyone can walk into one of 10 joint testing and vaccination centres to get their vaccinations and boosters before 7pm each day, said the Gov.sg WhatsApp channel.
From July 18, all households will receive 10 antigen rapid test kits. There are no changes to safe management measures, with mask wearing still required indoors, but optional outdoors.
While the Gov.sg WhatsApp channel had been pushing out daily updates on the Covid-19 situation in the four official languages since 2020, the updates have become less frequent this year as Singapore pushed to live with Covid-19 and treat it as an endemic disease.
Its last Covid-19 advisory was put out on March 12, though the channel issued a travel advisory on June 3.
In February last year, the Government said its Gov.sg WhatsApp channel had 1.22 million subscribers.
Gov.sg WhatsApp channel urges seniors to get booster jabs as Covid-19 infections increase
SINGAPORE - The official Gov.sg WhatsApp channel has put out its first Covid-19 advisory in three months, urging seniors here to get their booster jabs.
Those aged 60 and above should take their first booster without delay, while those 80 and above and the medically vulnerable are encouraged to take their second booster if it has been five months since their first booster, the channel said in an advisory on Wednesday (June 29) that was also pushed on its Telegram channel.
Those between the ages of 50 and 79 can opt to take their second booster to strengthen their protection against Covid-19.
About 70,000 seniors aged 60 and above have yet to take their first booster shot, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday (June 27) at the opening of three Covid-19 mobile vaccination sites.
As many as 50 such sites are being set up, mostly at residents' committee (RC) centres, to bring vaccination closer to seniors in their neighbourhoods.
The return and expansion of mobile vaccination sites come amid an uptick in the number of infections, driven by the newer BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants.
There were 11,504 new Covid-19 cases recorded in Singapore on Tuesday (June 28), more than double the 5,309 cases on Monday.
While priority will be given to seniors aged 60 and above to walk in and get their jabs, others can also do so at the mobile vaccination sites, subject to the availability of vaccination slots, the Ministry of Health has said.
Anyone can walk into one of 10 joint testing and vaccination centres to get their vaccinations and boosters before 7pm each day, said the Gov.sg WhatsApp channel.
From July 18, all households will receive 10 antigen rapid test kits. There are no changes to safe management measures, with mask wearing still required indoors, but optional outdoors.
While the Gov.sg WhatsApp channel had been pushing out daily updates on the Covid-19 situation in the four official languages since 2020, the updates have become less frequent this year as Singapore pushed to live with Covid-19 and treat it as an endemic disease.
Its last Covid-19 advisory was put out on March 12, though the channel issued a travel advisory on June 3.
In February last year, the Government said its Gov.sg WhatsApp channel had 1.22 million subscribers.
OYK shared key strategies. 
Are our COVID-19 cases doubling? Have we reached the peak?
I know some are concerned over our recent rise in COVID-19 cases. I shared these two key strategies in Parliament today.
This is an important juncture in our journey towards living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease.
For the first time in this pandemic, we are trying to weather through a wave without any tightening of Safe Management Measures, while maintaining indoor masking.
So let us all remember – while life goes on normally for most of us, our healthcare workers are carrying the weight of the infection wave, and defending our way of life quietly in the background.
Ong Ye Kung
1 hr ·Are our COVID-19 cases doubling? Have we reached the peak?
I know some are concerned over our recent rise in COVID-19 cases. I shared these two key strategies in Parliament today.
This is an important juncture in our journey towards living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease.
For the first time in this pandemic, we are trying to weather through a wave without any tightening of Safe Management Measures, while maintaining indoor masking.
So let us all remember – while life goes on normally for most of us, our healthcare workers are carrying the weight of the infection wave, and defending our way of life quietly in the background.
from yahoo.com:
SINGAPORE — Even as COVID-19 daily cases are expected to rise to over 12,000 on Tuesday (5 July), there are indications that the current wave of infections is near or at its peak, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament.
Responding to a parliamentary question by West Coast GRC Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng on the Government's response to the current wave of COVID-19 cases, Ong said that this wave had been anticipated by authorities upon learning of the BA.4 and BA.4 Omicron subvariants.
“For this current wave, our assessment is that it will not be as severe as the Omicron wave earlier this year," he added.
"This is because many more of us have gained stronger immunity either through booster shots or recovery from infections. This will significantly impede the circulation and transmission of the virus.”
An indication that the current COVID wave is nearing its peak is that the infection cases did not double this week, compared to the week before, when over 11,000 cases were reported on 28 June. "Otherwise, we would be at 22,000 cases this week," Ong said.
Ong said that there are about 60,000 senior citizens aged 60 and above who have not taken their first booster shot, down from about 70,000 a week ago.
With mobile vaccination teams set up making it more convenient for seniors to get their vaccinations, Ong said that 60 of such sites will be set up islandwide, up from the 50 announced last week.
The second strategy is to ensure healthcare institutions and facilities are prepared and ready to ramp up capacity if there are increased admissions.
Currently, COVID-19 treatment facilities that manage serious cases but do not need hospital care have about 1,300 beds, and are 25 per cent occupied.
"Our hospitals remain ready to ramp up dedicated ICU (intensive care unit) and isolation bed capacity, should there be an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who require hospitalisation,” Ong said.
COVID cases likely above 12,000 today, near peak of new Omicron wave: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE — Even as COVID-19 daily cases are expected to rise to over 12,000 on Tuesday (5 July), there are indications that the current wave of infections is near or at its peak, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament.
Responding to a parliamentary question by West Coast GRC Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng on the Government's response to the current wave of COVID-19 cases, Ong said that this wave had been anticipated by authorities upon learning of the BA.4 and BA.4 Omicron subvariants.
“For this current wave, our assessment is that it will not be as severe as the Omicron wave earlier this year," he added.
"This is because many more of us have gained stronger immunity either through booster shots or recovery from infections. This will significantly impede the circulation and transmission of the virus.”
An indication that the current COVID wave is nearing its peak is that the infection cases did not double this week, compared to the week before, when over 11,000 cases were reported on 28 June. "Otherwise, we would be at 22,000 cases this week," Ong said.
Two strategies to get through current COVID wave
The minister added that there are two strategies to get through this COVID wave. The first is to ensure high vaccination and booster coverage, so that as many people as possible are protected from severe illnesses if they are infected.Ong said that there are about 60,000 senior citizens aged 60 and above who have not taken their first booster shot, down from about 70,000 a week ago.
With mobile vaccination teams set up making it more convenient for seniors to get their vaccinations, Ong said that 60 of such sites will be set up islandwide, up from the 50 announced last week.
The second strategy is to ensure healthcare institutions and facilities are prepared and ready to ramp up capacity if there are increased admissions.
Currently, COVID-19 treatment facilities that manage serious cases but do not need hospital care have about 1,300 beds, and are 25 per cent occupied.
"Our hospitals remain ready to ramp up dedicated ICU (intensive care unit) and isolation bed capacity, should there be an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who require hospitalisation,” Ong said.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Singapore is near, if not already at, the peak of the current wave of Covid-19 infections, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (July 5).
He told Parliament that the number of cases is expected to cross 12,000 on Tuesday - about 10 per cent higher than the same time last week.
"There are indications that we are near the peak, if not at the peak, and we should be relieved that the number this week did not double from last week. Otherwise, we'll be at 24,000 or 22,000 this week," said Mr Ong.
He said the current wave will not be as severe as the previous Omicron wave, as many people have gained stronger immunity through booster shots or recovery from infections, which will reduce transmission of the virus.
The key, as before, is to ensure that hospital capacity is not overly stressed, he added in response to questions from MPs.
Mr Ong said the number of Covid-19 hospitalisations here have reached almost 700, though this remains below the figure of around 1,700 cases during the Omicron wave earlier this year.
Responding to Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang), he said the hospitals have cut back about 4 per cent of the load from non-Covid-19 patients - these are mostly elective procedures - compared with a cut of 15 per cent during the earlier wave.
With public hospitals continuing to face high demand, Mr Ong said more Covid-19 Treatment Facilities (CTFs) could be converted to take in non-Covid-19 patients.
One existing CTF at Sengkang Community Hospital has been reconfigured to cater to both sets of patients, he noted.
"Over time, we hope more of our CTFs can be multi-purpose isolation and treatment facilities, for both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients," he said.
Giving an update on Covid-19 healthcare subsidies, he told the House that the Government has spent about $730 million and $220 million subsidising inpatient and outpatient treatments for Covid-19 respectively as at the end of the 2021 financial year.
Mr Ong also said the authorities are stepping up efforts to get as many people as possible to take the vaccine and booster jab.
About 60,000 seniors aged 60 and above have not taken their first booster or third shot, he said.
Encouraging these seniors to do so, he said: "It makes a huge difference as to whether you will fall severely sick if infected."
This 60,000 number is an improvement from the 80,000 seniors who had yet to take their booster shots as at June 20, the day Mr Ong uploaded a video clip on TikTok to urge them to get their jabs.
To ensure that the majority of Covid-19 cases can continue to be managed outside of hospitals, all polyclinics and 103 participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics can, as at June 30, prescribe oral antivirals such as Paxlovid to those who are eligible, he said.
MOH has also made these antivirals more readily available in nursing homes as early treatment to help reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalisation, while medication given before exposure to Covid-19 to protect those who are, for instance, not able to take the current vaccines, is available in hospital outpatient settings for at-risk populations.
"Our hospitals remain ready to ramp up dedicated ICU (intensive care unit) and isolation bed capacity should there be an increase in the number of Covid-19 patients who require hospitalisation," he said.
He added that the hospitals have started to do so.
"They are already doing so and they are now very busy," he said.
Sufficient beds are also being maintained at the CTFs to manage serious cases that do not need hospital care, he said.
"We have recently consolidated our CTFs, from about 2,000 beds to 1,300 beds but with higher manning ration, and this will make it easier to transfer patients from acute hospitals to the CTFs without a significant drop in level of care," said Mr Ong.
The CTFs are now about 25 per cent occupied.
MOH data shows that as at July 4, a total of 631 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, with 14 in the intensive care unit.
About half of the infections in Singapore are now caused by the latest Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5, up from 30 per cent last week, Mr Ong said. Cases driven by these sub-variants have been doubling every week, and they could account for 70 per cent or 80 per cent of total cases next week.
Mr Ong also said in Parliament that they will continue to study the risks and benefits of using a bivalent vaccine - one that targets the original virus as well as Omicron. If these vaccines by Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna are approved and the shipments arrive, they could be available here by the end of the year.
Those who have yet to take their booster should not wait as the current booster works very well, he added.
On the topic of healthcare manpower, Mr Ong hinted that plans are afoot to give foreign nurses better retention benefits, given the global competition for nurses.
The cohort size here is limited while healthcare demand is growing, he said.
“So, therefore, we must be able to accept that over time, we have to recruit more foreign nurses from different sources, be able to take them in, train them and over time... be able to review pay, pay them competitively,” he said.
“And the good ones, over time, should be able to be part of our community, become PRs (permanent residents) and live with their families here.”
Mr Ong added: “I think this is the only way for us to not just weather through this wave but as our population gets older... the size of our healthcare workforce will have to increase and we have to tap both a strong local pipeline as well as foreign recruitment.
S'pore near or at peak of current Covid-19 wave, cases expected to cross 12,000
SINGAPORE - Singapore is near, if not already at, the peak of the current wave of Covid-19 infections, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (July 5).
He told Parliament that the number of cases is expected to cross 12,000 on Tuesday - about 10 per cent higher than the same time last week.
"There are indications that we are near the peak, if not at the peak, and we should be relieved that the number this week did not double from last week. Otherwise, we'll be at 24,000 or 22,000 this week," said Mr Ong.
He said the current wave will not be as severe as the previous Omicron wave, as many people have gained stronger immunity through booster shots or recovery from infections, which will reduce transmission of the virus.
The key, as before, is to ensure that hospital capacity is not overly stressed, he added in response to questions from MPs.
Mr Ong said the number of Covid-19 hospitalisations here have reached almost 700, though this remains below the figure of around 1,700 cases during the Omicron wave earlier this year.
Responding to Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang), he said the hospitals have cut back about 4 per cent of the load from non-Covid-19 patients - these are mostly elective procedures - compared with a cut of 15 per cent during the earlier wave.
With public hospitals continuing to face high demand, Mr Ong said more Covid-19 Treatment Facilities (CTFs) could be converted to take in non-Covid-19 patients.
One existing CTF at Sengkang Community Hospital has been reconfigured to cater to both sets of patients, he noted.
"Over time, we hope more of our CTFs can be multi-purpose isolation and treatment facilities, for both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients," he said.
Giving an update on Covid-19 healthcare subsidies, he told the House that the Government has spent about $730 million and $220 million subsidising inpatient and outpatient treatments for Covid-19 respectively as at the end of the 2021 financial year.
Mr Ong also said the authorities are stepping up efforts to get as many people as possible to take the vaccine and booster jab.
About 60,000 seniors aged 60 and above have not taken their first booster or third shot, he said.
Encouraging these seniors to do so, he said: "It makes a huge difference as to whether you will fall severely sick if infected."
This 60,000 number is an improvement from the 80,000 seniors who had yet to take their booster shots as at June 20, the day Mr Ong uploaded a video clip on TikTok to urge them to get their jabs.
To ensure that the majority of Covid-19 cases can continue to be managed outside of hospitals, all polyclinics and 103 participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics can, as at June 30, prescribe oral antivirals such as Paxlovid to those who are eligible, he said.
MOH has also made these antivirals more readily available in nursing homes as early treatment to help reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalisation, while medication given before exposure to Covid-19 to protect those who are, for instance, not able to take the current vaccines, is available in hospital outpatient settings for at-risk populations.
"Our hospitals remain ready to ramp up dedicated ICU (intensive care unit) and isolation bed capacity should there be an increase in the number of Covid-19 patients who require hospitalisation," he said.
He added that the hospitals have started to do so.
"They are already doing so and they are now very busy," he said.
Sufficient beds are also being maintained at the CTFs to manage serious cases that do not need hospital care, he said.
"We have recently consolidated our CTFs, from about 2,000 beds to 1,300 beds but with higher manning ration, and this will make it easier to transfer patients from acute hospitals to the CTFs without a significant drop in level of care," said Mr Ong.
The CTFs are now about 25 per cent occupied.
MOH data shows that as at July 4, a total of 631 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, with 14 in the intensive care unit.
About half of the infections in Singapore are now caused by the latest Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5, up from 30 per cent last week, Mr Ong said. Cases driven by these sub-variants have been doubling every week, and they could account for 70 per cent or 80 per cent of total cases next week.
Mr Ong also said in Parliament that they will continue to study the risks and benefits of using a bivalent vaccine - one that targets the original virus as well as Omicron. If these vaccines by Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna are approved and the shipments arrive, they could be available here by the end of the year.
Those who have yet to take their booster should not wait as the current booster works very well, he added.
On the topic of healthcare manpower, Mr Ong hinted that plans are afoot to give foreign nurses better retention benefits, given the global competition for nurses.
The cohort size here is limited while healthcare demand is growing, he said.
“So, therefore, we must be able to accept that over time, we have to recruit more foreign nurses from different sources, be able to take them in, train them and over time... be able to review pay, pay them competitively,” he said.
“And the good ones, over time, should be able to be part of our community, become PRs (permanent residents) and live with their families here.”
Mr Ong added: “I think this is the only way for us to not just weather through this wave but as our population gets older... the size of our healthcare workforce will have to increase and we have to tap both a strong local pipeline as well as foreign recruitment.
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from straitstimes.com:
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking at the Nurses' Merit Award event, on July 6, 2022. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
SINGAPORE - Although Singapore is dealing with a wave of Covid-19 infections, it has not introduced heightened measures for the first time despite the spike in cases.
This means healthcare workers have primarily shouldered the burden, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Wednesday (July 6) as he recognised and thanked the efforts of nurses at the Nurses' Merit Award event held at Suntec.
"The only thing that we have implemented is for you to wear your masks indoors...we are still vaccinating but our coverage is already very high," said Mr Ong.
He stressed that this current wave is an important juncture in Singapore's journey towards living with Covid-19.
"In this Omicron wave, by and large the burden falls on our hospitals, nurses and our medical personnel.
"I hope we all remember who is carrying that burden as the rest of Singapore go about their lives normally," Mr Ong said.
"I believe there are good reasons, looking at the numbers, that the trajectory of the wave has almost peaked or is at its peak. I really hope from here, things will get better," he added.
In his speech, Mr Ong noted the sacrifices the nurses have made.
“Nurses also bring something else that may not be so easily discernible, much less measured. Yet it is essential and irreplaceable – and that is human compassion.”
“Not everyone can be a shoulder to cry on when a loved one is in distress or lost. Not everyone can bring peace to a patient or loved one in time of anxiety.
“Not everyone can make a patient smile even at his lowest moments, or look into the future with optimism as he regains his strength," said Mr Ong.
“In a crisis as isolating as Covid-19, the human compassion of nurses is empowering, comforting and invaluable,” he added.
Principal nurse Sreevidya Jayacopalan from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Principal nurse Sreevidya Jayacopalan was among 125 nurses who were presented with the Nurses’ Merit Award by Mr Ong.
It is given to nurses who display noteworthy and exceptional performance, participate in professional development, and contribute to raising the nursing profession.
Winners were given a medal to be worn as part of the nurse’s uniform and $1,000 in cash.
Ms Sreevidya often clocks nine hours of shift work a day, and returns home to her young children sleeping. But in 2020, she did not hesitate to volunteer and join a medical team which worked at a migrant worker facility.
Decked in full personal protective equipment in the sweltering heat, the 37-year-old had to be on stand by to perform swab tests as a wave of infections swept through the dormitories.
By the end of last year, over 175,000 out of 323,000 dormitory residents had caught the virus.
Ms Sreevidya, who works in the Acutely Mentally Infirmed Elders ward at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, looks after elderly patients with dementia.
When visitors were not allowed into the hospital, she set up video-conferencing sessions for the families and patients, including those who felt insecure and lonely.
There were times during the pandemic when she felt burnt out due to the shortage of nurses in the ward.
When some foreign nurses returned home and others were infected by Covid-19, the ward often had only two nursing staff to handle about 11 patients.
Ms Sreevidya is thankful for her family’s support.
“My mum, who is my backbone, and my husband, would help pick up the kids from school and also update me on how they are doing so that I can have peace of mind while working,” said the mother of three children, aged eight, 10 and 12.
She added that her 44-year-old husband, who works as a technician, would often change his work schedule to accommodate hers.
Advanced practice nurse Lim Tien Joo, 45, also received the award.
Mr Lim, who works at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), had to manage patients who were not allowed to leave their wards amid the pandemic.
To help patients overcome boredom, he used a video-conferencing platform to let patients interact with each other.
Mr Lim and his colleagues also installed hoops in the wards so the patients could play basketball.
Mr Lim, who has been with IMH for 22 years, said: “Despite all the challenges, every nurse continues to care for the patients to their best ability.”
Senior staff nurse Joel Quek, 32, had to put on hold his advanced diploma studies in nursing for critical care and return to the frontline when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Working in the intensive care unit at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Mr Quek looked after Covid-19 patients .
He said: “There were times when my patients looked me in the eye and asked, ‘Am I going to die?’.
“This was the question that was almost impossible for me to answer and it pained me greatly.”
At the height of the pandemic, to avoid putting his friends and family at risk as he was working in the ICU wards and taking care of Covid-19 patients, the 32-year-old cut himself off from them.
“I drastically decreased my contact with loved ones outside of my household. This imposed a sense of loneliness. But ultimately it was for the greater good,” he said.
Singapore riding current Covid-19 wave without heightened measures: Ong Ye Kung
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking at the Nurses' Merit Award event, on July 6, 2022. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
SINGAPORE - Although Singapore is dealing with a wave of Covid-19 infections, it has not introduced heightened measures for the first time despite the spike in cases.
This means healthcare workers have primarily shouldered the burden, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Wednesday (July 6) as he recognised and thanked the efforts of nurses at the Nurses' Merit Award event held at Suntec.
"The only thing that we have implemented is for you to wear your masks indoors...we are still vaccinating but our coverage is already very high," said Mr Ong.
He stressed that this current wave is an important juncture in Singapore's journey towards living with Covid-19.
"In this Omicron wave, by and large the burden falls on our hospitals, nurses and our medical personnel.
"I hope we all remember who is carrying that burden as the rest of Singapore go about their lives normally," Mr Ong said.
"I believe there are good reasons, looking at the numbers, that the trajectory of the wave has almost peaked or is at its peak. I really hope from here, things will get better," he added.
In his speech, Mr Ong noted the sacrifices the nurses have made.
“Nurses also bring something else that may not be so easily discernible, much less measured. Yet it is essential and irreplaceable – and that is human compassion.”
“Not everyone can be a shoulder to cry on when a loved one is in distress or lost. Not everyone can bring peace to a patient or loved one in time of anxiety.
“Not everyone can make a patient smile even at his lowest moments, or look into the future with optimism as he regains his strength," said Mr Ong.
“In a crisis as isolating as Covid-19, the human compassion of nurses is empowering, comforting and invaluable,” he added.
Principal nurse Sreevidya Jayacopalan from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Principal nurse Sreevidya Jayacopalan was among 125 nurses who were presented with the Nurses’ Merit Award by Mr Ong.
It is given to nurses who display noteworthy and exceptional performance, participate in professional development, and contribute to raising the nursing profession.
Winners were given a medal to be worn as part of the nurse’s uniform and $1,000 in cash.
Ms Sreevidya often clocks nine hours of shift work a day, and returns home to her young children sleeping. But in 2020, she did not hesitate to volunteer and join a medical team which worked at a migrant worker facility.
Decked in full personal protective equipment in the sweltering heat, the 37-year-old had to be on stand by to perform swab tests as a wave of infections swept through the dormitories.
By the end of last year, over 175,000 out of 323,000 dormitory residents had caught the virus.
Ms Sreevidya, who works in the Acutely Mentally Infirmed Elders ward at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, looks after elderly patients with dementia.
When visitors were not allowed into the hospital, she set up video-conferencing sessions for the families and patients, including those who felt insecure and lonely.
There were times during the pandemic when she felt burnt out due to the shortage of nurses in the ward.
When some foreign nurses returned home and others were infected by Covid-19, the ward often had only two nursing staff to handle about 11 patients.
Ms Sreevidya is thankful for her family’s support.
“My mum, who is my backbone, and my husband, would help pick up the kids from school and also update me on how they are doing so that I can have peace of mind while working,” said the mother of three children, aged eight, 10 and 12.
She added that her 44-year-old husband, who works as a technician, would often change his work schedule to accommodate hers.
Advanced practice nurse Lim Tien Joo, 45, also received the award.
Mr Lim, who works at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), had to manage patients who were not allowed to leave their wards amid the pandemic.
To help patients overcome boredom, he used a video-conferencing platform to let patients interact with each other.
Mr Lim and his colleagues also installed hoops in the wards so the patients could play basketball.
Mr Lim, who has been with IMH for 22 years, said: “Despite all the challenges, every nurse continues to care for the patients to their best ability.”
Senior staff nurse Joel Quek, 32, had to put on hold his advanced diploma studies in nursing for critical care and return to the frontline when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Working in the intensive care unit at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Mr Quek looked after Covid-19 patients .
He said: “There were times when my patients looked me in the eye and asked, ‘Am I going to die?’.
“This was the question that was almost impossible for me to answer and it pained me greatly.”
At the height of the pandemic, to avoid putting his friends and family at risk as he was working in the ICU wards and taking care of Covid-19 patients, the 32-year-old cut himself off from them.
“I drastically decreased my contact with loved ones outside of my household. This imposed a sense of loneliness. But ultimately it was for the greater good,” he said.
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