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OYK wants less sugar. 
At the 19th Congress of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) 2022 this afternoon, I shared how beverage companies are reformulating sugared drinks, and consumers here are switching to low sugar drinks.
Median sugar level of prepacked beverages dipped from 7.1% in 2017 to 4.7% in 2021. The sales of beverages with less than 5% sugar content have gone up from 37% in 2017 to 60% in 2021.
I talked about further plans to cut daily sugar intake from freshly prepared beverages (e.g. freshly brewed beverages from coffee shops, freshly squeezed juices, and bubble teas). Outlets will have to label the drinks on their hard and softcopy menus, so that customers know which beverages have high sugar and saturated fat content.
Less sugar does not mean less flavour, it brings out the natural flavours of the drinks. We can stay healthy, and it also keeps diabetes at bay.
Photo credit: ISPD 2022
Ong Ye Kung
22 hrs ·At the 19th Congress of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) 2022 this afternoon, I shared how beverage companies are reformulating sugared drinks, and consumers here are switching to low sugar drinks.
Median sugar level of prepacked beverages dipped from 7.1% in 2017 to 4.7% in 2021. The sales of beverages with less than 5% sugar content have gone up from 37% in 2017 to 60% in 2021.
I talked about further plans to cut daily sugar intake from freshly prepared beverages (e.g. freshly brewed beverages from coffee shops, freshly squeezed juices, and bubble teas). Outlets will have to label the drinks on their hard and softcopy menus, so that customers know which beverages have high sugar and saturated fat content.
Less sugar does not mean less flavour, it brings out the natural flavours of the drinks. We can stay healthy, and it also keeps diabetes at bay.
Photo credit: ISPD 2022
OYK attended an awards ceremony.
Attended the National University Health System - NUHS Tribute Awards Ceremony yesterday, where 80 healthcare professionals were recognised for their remarkable contributions towards Singapore’s healthcare system.
Among those honoured included four giants in Singapore medicine:
-Emeritus Prof Lim Pin; who was Vice Chancellor of NUS and set up NUH as an Academic Medical Centre;
-Prof John Eu-Li Wong, a top oncologist in Singapore who led many public health institutions;
-Emeritus Prof Kandiah Satkunanantham, who served as Director of Medical Services (DMS) at MOH and introduced residency for specialist training;
-A/Prof Benjamin Ong, who also served as DMS and is currently Chairman of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination.
Each received the pinnacle NUHS Award for their exemplary leadership and outstanding achievements.
All of today’s recipients have set an inspiring example of professionalism, courage, grit and solidarity. Together with my colleagues at MOH, we will continue to work alongside with you to battle COVID-19 and to fulfil our vision of a healthier nation.
My heartiest congratulations and sincere thanks to all recipients.
Ong Ye Kung
10 hrs ·Attended the National University Health System - NUHS Tribute Awards Ceremony yesterday, where 80 healthcare professionals were recognised for their remarkable contributions towards Singapore’s healthcare system.
Among those honoured included four giants in Singapore medicine:
-Emeritus Prof Lim Pin; who was Vice Chancellor of NUS and set up NUH as an Academic Medical Centre;
-Prof John Eu-Li Wong, a top oncologist in Singapore who led many public health institutions;
-Emeritus Prof Kandiah Satkunanantham, who served as Director of Medical Services (DMS) at MOH and introduced residency for specialist training;
-A/Prof Benjamin Ong, who also served as DMS and is currently Chairman of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination.
Each received the pinnacle NUHS Award for their exemplary leadership and outstanding achievements.
All of today’s recipients have set an inspiring example of professionalism, courage, grit and solidarity. Together with my colleagues at MOH, we will continue to work alongside with you to battle COVID-19 and to fulfil our vision of a healthier nation.
My heartiest congratulations and sincere thanks to all recipients.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Outlets selling freshly prepared drinks that have a very high level of sugar and saturated fat content must label them with a Nutri-Grade mark in their menus by the end of next year, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Thursday (Aug 11).
Such beverages include freshly brewed coffee, freshly squeezed juices and bubble tea.
This rule will come after the requirement for pre-packed beverages with higher sugar and saturated fat content to be labelled with a Nutri-Grade mark kicks in from Dec 30 this year.
"It is a neutral or even nice name, but the message to consumers is to avoid those with Nutri-Grade mark that indicates a high level of sugar," said Mr Ong.
The outlets will also be prohibited from advertising freshly prepared beverages with the highest level of sugar and saturated fat content, he said.
The Government is working towards publishing these measures in the middle of next year and have them come into effect by end of next year, Mr Ong added.
This is part of the Government's efforts to influence consumers' diet and sugar intake in order to win the war on diabetes. It fits in with the preventive care emphasis in its new healthcare transformation strategy, called Healthier SG.
Mr Ong said that six new patients are diagnosed with kidney failure in Singapore every day, up from about four per day in 2011, and this number is driven mainly by two factors – age and disease prevalence. Singapore is ageing and while diabetes prevalence has stayed quite consistent over the years, the prevalence of obesity - a key risk factor for diabetes - is rising.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis Congress 2022, which is being held in Singapore for the first time.
In his speech, he also said that the Ministry of Health is aiming to get 30 per cent of new dialysis patients to opt for a home-based form of treatment known as peritoneal dialysis (PD) by 2025, up from around 20 per cent now.
The target is not new as the Government has been trying to encourage more kidney failure patients to do so over the years, but the uptake has yet to shoot up.
Currently, most patients opt for haemodialysis, which is done with a machine at a dialysis centre. PD offers greater convenience and self-empowerment, Mr Ong said.
"To achieve this (target), we are developing with our stakeholders a set of pre-dialysis counselling, training and educational materials to help patients to perform PD independently at home," said Mr Ong.
In April, MOH launched the National PD Home Support Programme to provide home visits and more specific counselling to patients, he said.
Kidney patients go for dialysis regularly to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood as their kidneys can no longer do so.
In PD, a dialysis solution is introduced into the body through a permanent catheter in the abdomen to do the job and then drained out.
Mr Ong said that MOH has been working with public hospitals and social service organisations to recommend PD as the preferred dialysis option for patients with kidney failure, unless they are medically unsuitable.
"With a lot of hard work, the PD utilisation rate among new dialysis patients rose steadily from 18 per cent in 2015 to around 21 per cent in 2019," he said.
"However, the progress hit a snag after that due to Covid-19. Catheter insertions were delayed, training and home support services were also disrupted."
PD utilisation rate has therefore stagnated at around 20 per cent, he said.
Mr Ong added that MOH will continue to deploy new tools - such as a wearable automated PD device developed by researchers and scientists in Singapore - to guide the treatment and care of patients with kidney failure.
The number of patients with end-stage renal disease - those whose kidneys can no longer function on their own and must receive dialysis or kidney transplantation - who are on dialysis has risen over the years and is expected to rise, given Singapore's rapidly ageing population.
Drinks outlets must label beverages high in sugar, saturated fat on their menus by end-2023
SINGAPORE - Outlets selling freshly prepared drinks that have a very high level of sugar and saturated fat content must label them with a Nutri-Grade mark in their menus by the end of next year, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Thursday (Aug 11).
Such beverages include freshly brewed coffee, freshly squeezed juices and bubble tea.
This rule will come after the requirement for pre-packed beverages with higher sugar and saturated fat content to be labelled with a Nutri-Grade mark kicks in from Dec 30 this year.
"It is a neutral or even nice name, but the message to consumers is to avoid those with Nutri-Grade mark that indicates a high level of sugar," said Mr Ong.
The outlets will also be prohibited from advertising freshly prepared beverages with the highest level of sugar and saturated fat content, he said.
The Government is working towards publishing these measures in the middle of next year and have them come into effect by end of next year, Mr Ong added.
This is part of the Government's efforts to influence consumers' diet and sugar intake in order to win the war on diabetes. It fits in with the preventive care emphasis in its new healthcare transformation strategy, called Healthier SG.
Mr Ong said that six new patients are diagnosed with kidney failure in Singapore every day, up from about four per day in 2011, and this number is driven mainly by two factors – age and disease prevalence. Singapore is ageing and while diabetes prevalence has stayed quite consistent over the years, the prevalence of obesity - a key risk factor for diabetes - is rising.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis Congress 2022, which is being held in Singapore for the first time.
In his speech, he also said that the Ministry of Health is aiming to get 30 per cent of new dialysis patients to opt for a home-based form of treatment known as peritoneal dialysis (PD) by 2025, up from around 20 per cent now.
The target is not new as the Government has been trying to encourage more kidney failure patients to do so over the years, but the uptake has yet to shoot up.
Currently, most patients opt for haemodialysis, which is done with a machine at a dialysis centre. PD offers greater convenience and self-empowerment, Mr Ong said.
"To achieve this (target), we are developing with our stakeholders a set of pre-dialysis counselling, training and educational materials to help patients to perform PD independently at home," said Mr Ong.
In April, MOH launched the National PD Home Support Programme to provide home visits and more specific counselling to patients, he said.
Kidney patients go for dialysis regularly to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood as their kidneys can no longer do so.
In PD, a dialysis solution is introduced into the body through a permanent catheter in the abdomen to do the job and then drained out.
Mr Ong said that MOH has been working with public hospitals and social service organisations to recommend PD as the preferred dialysis option for patients with kidney failure, unless they are medically unsuitable.
"With a lot of hard work, the PD utilisation rate among new dialysis patients rose steadily from 18 per cent in 2015 to around 21 per cent in 2019," he said.
"However, the progress hit a snag after that due to Covid-19. Catheter insertions were delayed, training and home support services were also disrupted."
PD utilisation rate has therefore stagnated at around 20 per cent, he said.
Mr Ong added that MOH will continue to deploy new tools - such as a wearable automated PD device developed by researchers and scientists in Singapore - to guide the treatment and care of patients with kidney failure.
The number of patients with end-stage renal disease - those whose kidneys can no longer function on their own and must receive dialysis or kidney transplantation - who are on dialysis has risen over the years and is expected to rise, given Singapore's rapidly ageing population.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Elections are an open contest, and as long as the competition is healthy, allowing voters to have a choice is a positive thing, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday (Aug 13).
He was responding to the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) declaration of its intention to contest Sembawang GRC in the next election.
Mr Ong is the anchor minister for the People's Action Party's (PAP) team in that constituency.
On National Day, after a five-hour walkabout in the five constituencies that the SDP had contested during the 2020 General Election, the opposition party said it intends to "return home" to Sembawang GRC, which it had contested in the 2006 and 2011 elections.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, SDP also reiterated its commitment to contesting the five constituencies - Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Holland Bukit-Timah GRC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Yuhua - which it had done in the 2020 election.
The next general election must be held by November 2025.
Speaking to media at the sidelines of a community event on Saturday, Mr Ong, a member of the PAP's central executive committee, said that he was not surprised by the SDP's intention as it had contested the constituency before.
However, that was more than 10 years ago and the party has not been active in the area since, he added.
"We look forward to a healthy contest and we'll do our best to win the mandate of the people," said Mr Ong.
There are still some years to go before the next election, noted Mr Ong, who stood in Sembawang GRC in the 2015 and 2020 elections.
During this time, he said his team will focus on fulfilling the promises made to residents, such as building the Bukit Canberra integrated hub, that will help to improve their lives. The hub will have an 800-seat hawker centre, an indoor sports hall and a polyclinic.
The PAP beat the SDP with 76.7 per cent of the vote for Sembawang GRC in 2006 and 63.9 per cent in 2011.
In the 2015 election, the PAP beat the National Solidarity Party (NSP) in Sembawang with 72.3 per cent of the votes. The ruling party beat NSP again in the same GRC in 2020, with 67.3 per cent of the vote.
Elections an open fight, says Ong Ye Kung in response to SDP's plans to contest Sembawang GRC
SINGAPORE - Elections are an open contest, and as long as the competition is healthy, allowing voters to have a choice is a positive thing, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday (Aug 13).
He was responding to the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) declaration of its intention to contest Sembawang GRC in the next election.
Mr Ong is the anchor minister for the People's Action Party's (PAP) team in that constituency.
On National Day, after a five-hour walkabout in the five constituencies that the SDP had contested during the 2020 General Election, the opposition party said it intends to "return home" to Sembawang GRC, which it had contested in the 2006 and 2011 elections.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, SDP also reiterated its commitment to contesting the five constituencies - Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Holland Bukit-Timah GRC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Yuhua - which it had done in the 2020 election.
The next general election must be held by November 2025.
Speaking to media at the sidelines of a community event on Saturday, Mr Ong, a member of the PAP's central executive committee, said that he was not surprised by the SDP's intention as it had contested the constituency before.
However, that was more than 10 years ago and the party has not been active in the area since, he added.
"We look forward to a healthy contest and we'll do our best to win the mandate of the people," said Mr Ong.
There are still some years to go before the next election, noted Mr Ong, who stood in Sembawang GRC in the 2015 and 2020 elections.
During this time, he said his team will focus on fulfilling the promises made to residents, such as building the Bukit Canberra integrated hub, that will help to improve their lives. The hub will have an 800-seat hawker centre, an indoor sports hall and a polyclinic.
The PAP beat the SDP with 76.7 per cent of the vote for Sembawang GRC in 2006 and 63.9 per cent in 2011.
In the 2015 election, the PAP beat the National Solidarity Party (NSP) in Sembawang with 72.3 per cent of the votes. The ruling party beat NSP again in the same GRC in 2020, with 67.3 per cent of the vote.
OYK visited the THK Active Ageing Centre @ Beo Crescent.
Visited the THK Active Ageing Centre @ Beo Crescent today and saw how community partners are working together to support seniors to age well and live independently.
Among the partners are Singapore General Hospital who provide clinical support; Tsao Foundation and SAGE Counselling Centre who provide micro job placement for seniors, and counselling services; IKEA who provided senior-friendly furniture; Google who equipped seniors with digital skills; and Agency for Integrated Care - AIC Singapore who pulls partners together.
These cross-sector partnerships are key to our seniors receiving even better support across health and social platforms.
Photo credit: Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
Ong Ye Kung
7 mins ·Visited the THK Active Ageing Centre @ Beo Crescent today and saw how community partners are working together to support seniors to age well and live independently.
Among the partners are Singapore General Hospital who provide clinical support; Tsao Foundation and SAGE Counselling Centre who provide micro job placement for seniors, and counselling services; IKEA who provided senior-friendly furniture; Google who equipped seniors with digital skills; and Agency for Integrated Care - AIC Singapore who pulls partners together.
These cross-sector partnerships are key to our seniors receiving even better support across health and social platforms.
Photo credit: Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
OYK joined volunteers for house visits.
This morning, over 100 volunteers from Sembawang Central Grassroots Organizations, Blossom Seeds, Family Service Centre, Assyafaah Mosque, Touch Singapore joined forces to visit some 6,800 HDB units.
This is part of our residents profiling programme, to identify residents, especially seniors living alone, that require community support and assistance.
With the mass exercise today, we have completed the first round of visits. From here, we will develop initiatives and programmes to support the residents that need help.
To all the volunteers - Thank you!
#MakeSembawangSpecial
Ong Ye Kung
5 hrs ·This morning, over 100 volunteers from Sembawang Central Grassroots Organizations, Blossom Seeds, Family Service Centre, Assyafaah Mosque, Touch Singapore joined forces to visit some 6,800 HDB units.
This is part of our residents profiling programme, to identify residents, especially seniors living alone, that require community support and assistance.
With the mass exercise today, we have completed the first round of visits. From here, we will develop initiatives and programmes to support the residents that need help.
To all the volunteers - Thank you!
#MakeSembawangSpecial
from straitstimes.com:
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (second from right) taking part in a game with seniors at the THK Senior Activity Centre @ Beo Crescent. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Zhaki Abdullah
PUBLISHED
AUG 19, 2022, 9:42 PM SGT
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SINGAPORE - Senior citizens in the Beo Crescent area will have greater access to services such as counselling, job placement and befriending under two agreements signed on Friday (Aug 19).
Under one of the agreements - signed between Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC) and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) - residents of Beo Crescent, where a THK Active Ageing Centre is located, can access services such as tele-consultations and medication delivery.
The collaboration will give the organisation a "network of resources" to help seniors in Bukit Merah and Tiong Bahru, said SGH population health and integrated care office director Low Lian Leng.
Meanwhile, a separate agreement was signed between THKMC, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Sage Counselling Centre and Tsao Foundation.
AIC will support the Beo Crescent centre via its Communities of Care initiative, which will give the centre resources needed to build partnerships with other organisations.
The agency will also refer seniors to the active ageing centre for services such as befriending and case management.
THKMC's collaboration with the Sage Counselling Centre will provide counselling to the elderly as well as their family members and caregivers, while Tsao Foundation will help seniors in areas such as job placements.
Witnessing the ceremony was Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who also toured the active ageing centre.
The Beo Crescent centre - appointed by the Ministry of Health and AIC as an active ageing centre last year - was chosen for Friday's initiatives due to the large number of seniors living in the vicinity.
THKMC chief operating officer Jason Lee said the collaborations were aimed at improving the experience of senior citizens in its centres.
"The seniors can look forward to ageing healthily and independently," he said.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, THKMC divisional director for elderly services Andy Lee said the new initiatives would benefit up to 300 people in the area, adding that he hoped for similar initiatives to be extended to its other centres.
"At the end of the day, we have to be a society that takes care of everybody," he said.
New initiatives will give elderly residents in Beo Crescent access to more services
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (second from right) taking part in a game with seniors at the THK Senior Activity Centre @ Beo Crescent. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Zhaki Abdullah
PUBLISHED
AUG 19, 2022, 9:42 PM SGT
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE - Senior citizens in the Beo Crescent area will have greater access to services such as counselling, job placement and befriending under two agreements signed on Friday (Aug 19).
Under one of the agreements - signed between Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC) and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) - residents of Beo Crescent, where a THK Active Ageing Centre is located, can access services such as tele-consultations and medication delivery.
The collaboration will give the organisation a "network of resources" to help seniors in Bukit Merah and Tiong Bahru, said SGH population health and integrated care office director Low Lian Leng.
Meanwhile, a separate agreement was signed between THKMC, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Sage Counselling Centre and Tsao Foundation.
AIC will support the Beo Crescent centre via its Communities of Care initiative, which will give the centre resources needed to build partnerships with other organisations.
The agency will also refer seniors to the active ageing centre for services such as befriending and case management.
THKMC's collaboration with the Sage Counselling Centre will provide counselling to the elderly as well as their family members and caregivers, while Tsao Foundation will help seniors in areas such as job placements.
Witnessing the ceremony was Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who also toured the active ageing centre.
The Beo Crescent centre - appointed by the Ministry of Health and AIC as an active ageing centre last year - was chosen for Friday's initiatives due to the large number of seniors living in the vicinity.
THKMC chief operating officer Jason Lee said the collaborations were aimed at improving the experience of senior citizens in its centres.
"The seniors can look forward to ageing healthily and independently," he said.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, THKMC divisional director for elderly services Andy Lee said the new initiatives would benefit up to 300 people in the area, adding that he hoped for similar initiatives to be extended to its other centres.
"At the end of the day, we have to be a society that takes care of everybody," he said.
OYK reminds us to be socially responsible.
Tuesday is when we usually record a post-weekend spike in COVID-19 cases, but not today.
Today, we reported 3,406 local cases, a decline from last Tuesday’s 4,909 local cases.
More importantly, hospitalised cases are also lower with 359 reported today, compared to 524 cases a week ago.
This is yet another encouraging sign of our society’s growing resilience with each passing wave.
The MTF will soon be sharing more details on the way ahead. In the meantime, do continue to take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible.
Ong Ye Kung
22 mins ·Tuesday is when we usually record a post-weekend spike in COVID-19 cases, but not today.
Today, we reported 3,406 local cases, a decline from last Tuesday’s 4,909 local cases.
More importantly, hospitalised cases are also lower with 359 reported today, compared to 524 cases a week ago.
This is yet another encouraging sign of our society’s growing resilience with each passing wave.
The MTF will soon be sharing more details on the way ahead. In the meantime, do continue to take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible.
OYK provides update of MTF announcement. 
Today the MTF announced the further lifting of SMMs, as masking indoors will no longer be legally required. This is possible as due to our collective effort, our society has become more resilient to COVID-19.
Vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. This is why we will extend our vaccination coverage to three vulnerable age groups.
Individuals aged 60 to 79 are recommended (instead of offered) to take a second booster at least five months after their first booster.
Children aged 5 to 11 years are recommended to receive one booster dose, from five months after the second dose of their primary vaccination series.
Infants and young children aged six months up to five years old. The current data shows that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks with a Moderna trial recording zero cases of myocarditis and anaphylaxis among 6,000 children. A decision on the recommendation for this age group will be made soon.
If approved, we will time the booster for children aged 5-11 and vaccination of infants and young children together, in the fourth quarter of the year, when exams are finishing or over.
Countries in the northern hemisphere are preparing for a winter wave at the end of this year. These steps to expand our vaccination coverage are part of our journey towards living with COVID-19, and will help prepare us for the next wave.
Photo credit: The Straits Times
Ong Ye Kung
1 hr ·Today the MTF announced the further lifting of SMMs, as masking indoors will no longer be legally required. This is possible as due to our collective effort, our society has become more resilient to COVID-19.
Vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. This is why we will extend our vaccination coverage to three vulnerable age groups.
If approved, we will time the booster for children aged 5-11 and vaccination of infants and young children together, in the fourth quarter of the year, when exams are finishing or over.
Countries in the northern hemisphere are preparing for a winter wave at the end of this year. These steps to expand our vaccination coverage are part of our journey towards living with COVID-19, and will help prepare us for the next wave.
Photo credit: The Straits Times
from straitstimes.com:
A total of 3,406 new local Covid-19 cases were reported on Aug 23, with 359 hospitalised. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
PUBLISHED
AUG 23, 2022, 8:45 PM SGT
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE - There were 3,406 new local Covid-19 cases reported on Tuesday (Aug 23), with 359 hospitalised.
Both figures are lower than the week before - there were 4,909 new local cases last Tuesday, and 524 hospitalisations. This was "yet another encouraging sign of our society's growing resilience with each passing wave", said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Mr Ong said Tuesday is when Singapore usually records a post-weekend spike in Covid-19 cases, but that was not the case this time.
He said that the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 will be sharing more details "on the way ahead".
He added: "In the meantime, do continue to take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible."
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday that masks would soon be required only on public transport and in healthcare settings such as hospitals.
Currently, while masks are optional in outdoor settings, they are mandatory indoors, in places such as shopping malls.
Lower Covid-19 numbers 'yet another encouraging sign': Ong Ye Kung
A total of 3,406 new local Covid-19 cases were reported on Aug 23, with 359 hospitalised. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
PUBLISHED
AUG 23, 2022, 8:45 PM SGT
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE - There were 3,406 new local Covid-19 cases reported on Tuesday (Aug 23), with 359 hospitalised.
Both figures are lower than the week before - there were 4,909 new local cases last Tuesday, and 524 hospitalisations. This was "yet another encouraging sign of our society's growing resilience with each passing wave", said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Mr Ong said Tuesday is when Singapore usually records a post-weekend spike in Covid-19 cases, but that was not the case this time.
He said that the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 will be sharing more details "on the way ahead".
He added: "In the meantime, do continue to take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible."
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday that masks would soon be required only on public transport and in healthcare settings such as hospitals.
Currently, while masks are optional in outdoor settings, they are mandatory indoors, in places such as shopping malls.
from straitstimes.com:
Mask will still be required in healthcare settings and on public transport, including the MRT, LRT and public buses. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Goh Yan Han
Political Correspondent
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 10:58 AM SGT
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE - Masks will not be required in most indoor settings from Monday (Aug 29), as Singapore takes a significant step towards living with Covid-19.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday said masks will be mandatory only in two settings, the first being healthcare facilities, residential care homes and ambulances, as well as indoor premises within hospitals and polyclinics.
They will also be required on public transport - the MRT, LRT, public buses and indoor facilities such as the boarding areas at bus interchanges and MRT platforms.
Mask-wearing in the airport and on private transport modes such as school buses, private bus services and taxis will be optional.
The further easing of Covid-19 rules comes as the population has become more resilient against the virus, due to high vaccination rates and more people getting infected, said the Ministry of Health.
The number of infections has also declined steadily, while the number of daily hospital cases has halved from more than 800 in July to below 400.
Mr Wong cautioned, however, that while the pandemic situation is much better today, Singaporeans must be mentally prepared for any sudden change as the next Covid-19 variant could be more aggressive and dangerous.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said at a press conference that Singapore should prepare itself for a “northern hemisphere winter wave” at the end of the year – possibly from a new variant – which the United States, United Kingdom and Europe are all bracing for.
With an estimated 70 per cent of the population already infected with Covid-19, the next Covid-19 wave – should that be a big one – must comprise many reinfections, Mr Ong said.
Data shows that the likelihood of reinfection eight months after getting Covid-19 is still very low – 5 per cent compared to a person who has not gotten the virus, he said.
But he noted that the proportion of cases that are reinfections has increased from 2 per cent to 3 per cent to about 5.5 per cent now and this will continue to grow, as immunity gained from past infection wanes over time.
Vaccination remains the primary line of defence, said the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force, which is co-chaired by Mr Wong, Mr Ong and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong.
The Government will roll out boosters for children aged five to 11 in the fourth quarter of this year and is considering vaccines for infants and younger children, said Mr Ong.
He noted that almost 80 per cent of the population have taken their booster shots, a key reason why Singapore was able to ride through the BA.5 variant wave without tightening safe management measures and having hospitals overwhelmed.
Said Mr Wong: "Vaccinations are still the best way to protect ourselves against severe disease from Covid-19. But we are reviewing our vaccination policy to transit to a system where we keep our vaccinations up to date."
With the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination recommending a first booster for children aged five to 11 years, the Government will offer jabs to this group in the fourth quarter of the year, when exams are ending or over.
There will be five dedicated vaccination centres across the island to administer boosters to them.
A decision on recommending vaccinations for children aged six months to five years is expected soon, Mr Ong added. If approved, it will be timed together with the booster exercise for children aged five to 11.
Mr Ong said the Government is giving very early notice of plans for these two groups as parents are concerned about the safety of their children.
The expert committee has also recommended a second booster for people aged 60 and above. This group was previously only offered to take it, if they wished to.
There is no change to the vaccination-differentiated safe management measures, Mr Wong said. Currently, vaccination status checks are required for large events with more than 500 people and for all those dining in at food and beverage establishments.
Border measures will be eased, as non-fully vaccinated travellers entering Singapore will not need to undergo a seven-day stay-home notice (SHN) upon arrival from Monday.
Such travellers will not have to take a polymerase chain reaction test upon exiting SHN as well. They will continue to need a negative pre-departure test taken within two days of departing for Singapore.
Meanwhile, non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above will not have to apply for entry approval to enter Singapore from Monday.
Mr Wong also said the multi-ministry task force will not be stood down, as the pandemic situation could change suddenly.
The task force will continue to monitor the situation closely and has plans in place for various contingencies such as scaling up healthcare capacity and stepping up vaccination operations when needed, he added.
"I hope we will not need to invoke these measures again," he said, referring to safe management measures. "But we know from past experience that this is a tricky virus, and we have to expect the unexpected. So let's all be prepared and maintain our solidarity, trust and unity to get through this pandemic together."
rom Monday, masks not needed except on public transport and in hospitals, clinics
Mask will still be required in healthcare settings and on public transport, including the MRT, LRT and public buses. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Goh Yan Han
Political Correspondent
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 10:58 AM SGT
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SINGAPORE - Masks will not be required in most indoor settings from Monday (Aug 29), as Singapore takes a significant step towards living with Covid-19.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday said masks will be mandatory only in two settings, the first being healthcare facilities, residential care homes and ambulances, as well as indoor premises within hospitals and polyclinics.
They will also be required on public transport - the MRT, LRT, public buses and indoor facilities such as the boarding areas at bus interchanges and MRT platforms.
Mask-wearing in the airport and on private transport modes such as school buses, private bus services and taxis will be optional.
The further easing of Covid-19 rules comes as the population has become more resilient against the virus, due to high vaccination rates and more people getting infected, said the Ministry of Health.
The number of infections has also declined steadily, while the number of daily hospital cases has halved from more than 800 in July to below 400.
Mr Wong cautioned, however, that while the pandemic situation is much better today, Singaporeans must be mentally prepared for any sudden change as the next Covid-19 variant could be more aggressive and dangerous.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said at a press conference that Singapore should prepare itself for a “northern hemisphere winter wave” at the end of the year – possibly from a new variant – which the United States, United Kingdom and Europe are all bracing for.
With an estimated 70 per cent of the population already infected with Covid-19, the next Covid-19 wave – should that be a big one – must comprise many reinfections, Mr Ong said.
Data shows that the likelihood of reinfection eight months after getting Covid-19 is still very low – 5 per cent compared to a person who has not gotten the virus, he said.
But he noted that the proportion of cases that are reinfections has increased from 2 per cent to 3 per cent to about 5.5 per cent now and this will continue to grow, as immunity gained from past infection wanes over time.
Vaccination remains the primary line of defence, said the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force, which is co-chaired by Mr Wong, Mr Ong and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong.
The Government will roll out boosters for children aged five to 11 in the fourth quarter of this year and is considering vaccines for infants and younger children, said Mr Ong.
He noted that almost 80 per cent of the population have taken their booster shots, a key reason why Singapore was able to ride through the BA.5 variant wave without tightening safe management measures and having hospitals overwhelmed.
Said Mr Wong: "Vaccinations are still the best way to protect ourselves against severe disease from Covid-19. But we are reviewing our vaccination policy to transit to a system where we keep our vaccinations up to date."
With the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination recommending a first booster for children aged five to 11 years, the Government will offer jabs to this group in the fourth quarter of the year, when exams are ending or over.
There will be five dedicated vaccination centres across the island to administer boosters to them.
A decision on recommending vaccinations for children aged six months to five years is expected soon, Mr Ong added. If approved, it will be timed together with the booster exercise for children aged five to 11.
Mr Ong said the Government is giving very early notice of plans for these two groups as parents are concerned about the safety of their children.
The expert committee has also recommended a second booster for people aged 60 and above. This group was previously only offered to take it, if they wished to.
There is no change to the vaccination-differentiated safe management measures, Mr Wong said. Currently, vaccination status checks are required for large events with more than 500 people and for all those dining in at food and beverage establishments.
Border measures will be eased, as non-fully vaccinated travellers entering Singapore will not need to undergo a seven-day stay-home notice (SHN) upon arrival from Monday.
Such travellers will not have to take a polymerase chain reaction test upon exiting SHN as well. They will continue to need a negative pre-departure test taken within two days of departing for Singapore.
Meanwhile, non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above will not have to apply for entry approval to enter Singapore from Monday.
Mr Wong also said the multi-ministry task force will not be stood down, as the pandemic situation could change suddenly.
The task force will continue to monitor the situation closely and has plans in place for various contingencies such as scaling up healthcare capacity and stepping up vaccination operations when needed, he added.
"I hope we will not need to invoke these measures again," he said, referring to safe management measures. "But we know from past experience that this is a tricky virus, and we have to expect the unexpected. So let's all be prepared and maintain our solidarity, trust and unity to get through this pandemic together."
from straitstimes.com:
Singapore needs to be prepared for a year-end wave that may be caused by a variant of concern that dodges immunity from past infection. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Clara Chong
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 11:06 AM SGT
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SINGAPORE - With around seven in 10 people here having been infected with Covid-19, the next big wave will likely be a wave of reinfections.
While Singapore is more resilient now given that its current wave has just subsided, the Republic needs to be prepared for a year-end wave that may be caused by a variant of concern that dodges immunity from past infection, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday morning (Aug 24).
Mr Ong noted at a multi-ministry task force (MTF) on Covid-19 press conference that reinfection cases have climbed to about 5.5 per cent of infections here this month, compared with about 3 per cent of cases the last time he updated Parliament.
"We have far fewer Covid-19-naive individuals, which means that our next wave must comprise many reinfections," Mr Ong said, noting that immunity gained from infection will also wane over time.
This is why the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring reinfection numbers, as this will give the authorities an idea when the next wave can happen, he added.
Data has shown that the probability of reinfection eight months later is still very low at around 5 per cent compared with the risk faced by someone who has not been infected by Covid-19 before - which is a good sign, he said.
Mr Ong noted that countries in the northern hemisphere, such as the United States and in Europe, are all preparing for a winter wave and possibly a new variant of concern..
Singapore should, likewise, prepare itself, said Mr Ong: "It may even be a new variant of concern with significant immunity escape."
A key part of these preparations is managing healthcare capacity, he said.
The MTF has found ways to ease the heavy workload in the hospitals by setting up Covid-19 treatment facilites (CTF), to alleviate the pressure on hospitals so that they could admit Covid-19 patients who are seriously ill to receive urgent medical care.
A new category of facilities called the transitional care facilities (TCF) will also help.
The TCF is a dual-use facility, which means that during a surge in Covid-19 hospitalisations, it can become a treatment facility for lower risk Covid-19 patients.
The TCF can also act as a step-down care facility for non-Covid-19 patients, including those who might be staying in the hospital waiting for nursing homes.
A TCF of 164 beds has already been set up at Sengkang Community Hospital.
"The TCF has worked very well because it is next to the Sengkang General Hospital, and these two facilities work hand in hand... reducing the heavy workload in Sengkang," Mr Ong said.
The authorities are also progressively converting Hall 10 of Changi Exhibition Hall from a CTF into a TCF.
"That means by the end of September, we will have a total of 364 beds for TCFs," he said.
Singapore must prepare for year-end Covid-19 wave possibly caused by variant of concern
Singapore needs to be prepared for a year-end wave that may be caused by a variant of concern that dodges immunity from past infection. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Clara Chong
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 11:06 AM SGT
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SINGAPORE - With around seven in 10 people here having been infected with Covid-19, the next big wave will likely be a wave of reinfections.
While Singapore is more resilient now given that its current wave has just subsided, the Republic needs to be prepared for a year-end wave that may be caused by a variant of concern that dodges immunity from past infection, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday morning (Aug 24).
Mr Ong noted at a multi-ministry task force (MTF) on Covid-19 press conference that reinfection cases have climbed to about 5.5 per cent of infections here this month, compared with about 3 per cent of cases the last time he updated Parliament.
"We have far fewer Covid-19-naive individuals, which means that our next wave must comprise many reinfections," Mr Ong said, noting that immunity gained from infection will also wane over time.
This is why the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring reinfection numbers, as this will give the authorities an idea when the next wave can happen, he added.
Data has shown that the probability of reinfection eight months later is still very low at around 5 per cent compared with the risk faced by someone who has not been infected by Covid-19 before - which is a good sign, he said.
Mr Ong noted that countries in the northern hemisphere, such as the United States and in Europe, are all preparing for a winter wave and possibly a new variant of concern..
Singapore should, likewise, prepare itself, said Mr Ong: "It may even be a new variant of concern with significant immunity escape."
A key part of these preparations is managing healthcare capacity, he said.
The MTF has found ways to ease the heavy workload in the hospitals by setting up Covid-19 treatment facilites (CTF), to alleviate the pressure on hospitals so that they could admit Covid-19 patients who are seriously ill to receive urgent medical care.
A new category of facilities called the transitional care facilities (TCF) will also help.
The TCF is a dual-use facility, which means that during a surge in Covid-19 hospitalisations, it can become a treatment facility for lower risk Covid-19 patients.
The TCF can also act as a step-down care facility for non-Covid-19 patients, including those who might be staying in the hospital waiting for nursing homes.
A TCF of 164 beds has already been set up at Sengkang Community Hospital.
"The TCF has worked very well because it is next to the Sengkang General Hospital, and these two facilities work hand in hand... reducing the heavy workload in Sengkang," Mr Ong said.
The authorities are also progressively converting Hall 10 of Changi Exhibition Hall from a CTF into a TCF.
"That means by the end of September, we will have a total of 364 beds for TCFs," he said.
from straitstimes.com:
Clara Chong
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 12:05 PM SGT
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SINGAPORE - The Republic needs to be prepared for a possible Covid-19 wave at the year end, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Aug 24).
Here are a few scenarios the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force outlined on Wednesday at a press conference.
People should also be mentally prepared for stricter mask requirements and safe management measures to be reinstated.
This is why mask requirements are being stepped down now - in case this turns out to be a long battle, said Mr Ong.
“We keep faith with the people: When the rules are not needed, we step it down. When they are needed again, we ask for the cooperation of everyone again,” he said. “Then I’m sure, people of Singapore, we will all do our part.”
3 possible Covid-19 scenarios for Singapore in the months ahead
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Clara Chong
PUBLISHED
AUG 24, 2022, 12:05 PM SGT
FacebookTwitter
SINGAPORE - The Republic needs to be prepared for a possible Covid-19 wave at the year end, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Aug 24).
Here are a few scenarios the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force outlined on Wednesday at a press conference.
1. Singapore manages to avoid a wave
This is the best possible case for Singapore and there would be no need to reinstate stricter safe management measures.2. The next wave is another Omicron wave
This scenario is good for Singapore as the country has just emerged from an Omicron wave and would have good immunity and protection against another Omicron wave, said Mr Ong.3. A wave from a new variant of concern that is able to escape immunity well
This is the worst-case scenario that Singapore is preparing for, and why it is looking to improve its current vaccination coverage through booster jabs.People should also be mentally prepared for stricter mask requirements and safe management measures to be reinstated.
This is why mask requirements are being stepped down now - in case this turns out to be a long battle, said Mr Ong.
“We keep faith with the people: When the rules are not needed, we step it down. When they are needed again, we ask for the cooperation of everyone again,” he said. “Then I’m sure, people of Singapore, we will all do our part.”
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