SUBVARIANTS
Mr Ong said Singapore continues to conduct genetic sequencing of the viral samples, noting that there are now multiple COVID-19 variants circulating, including XBB.1.16.
“Of particular interest now is XBB.1.16. It is only of particular interest because someone gave it a sexy name called Arcturus,” he said.
“But of all the variant strains now, there is not a single one that we notice is particularly dominant. There is no evidence showing that any one of them causes more severe illness.”
Singapore in February stepped down its COVID-19 measures and its disease alert to the lowest level since the pandemic started.
COVID-19 infection numbers are now updated on a weekly basis.
“Like all endemic diseases, we no longer have very granular data on COVID-19 infections,” Mr Ong said, adding that the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the coronavirus closely through sampling patients who display acute respiratory symptoms and testing wastewater samples for viral fragments.
While the estimated daily infections have gone up, the Health Minister said this is a small fraction of the 20,000 or more daily cases Singapore used to experience during the peak of the pandemic.
“Our assessment is that this week, the numbers have probably stabilised, may have even come down,” he added.
Although the current wave is not severe, Mr Ong cautioned that the additional caseloads do add to the heavy workload of the hospitals.
He urged people to do their part to keep themselves healthy and if they are unwell, to stay home and wear a mask.
“And if they are vulnerable groups, such as (people) aged 60 and above, get your vaccinations annually,” he added.