As Singapore’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is urging people to wear face masks in crowded places, even if they are not ill. This recommendation is particularly important indoors or when visiting vulnerable people. The MOH reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases from December 3 to 9, with a 75% jump compared to the previous week. The average daily hospitalisations and intensive care unit cases also rose. However, the MOH clarified that there is no evidence suggesting that the newly identified variants are more transmissible or severe than others. The ministry stresses the need for personal and social responsibility, urging individuals with acute respiratory infection symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with others. People who are traveling are advised to wear masks at airports, purchase travel insurance, and avoid crowded areas with poor ventilation.

In order to preserve hospital capacity for those in need of acute care, the MOH encourages the public to seek medical treatment at emergency departments only for serious or life-threatening emergencies. The MOH has been working closely with public hospitals to ensure contingency planning, including sufficient manpower and deferring non-urgent elective surgeries to increase bed capacity for urgent cases. The ministry is also making use of step-down facilities and alternative care models to appropriate accommodate patients. Singapore is opening a new COVID-19 treatment facility at Singapore EXPO Hall 10 to augment capacity at the existing facility. Hospitals are also taking measures to meet the rising demand for beds.

Though there has been an increase in hospitalisations and ICU admissions, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung reassures the public that the healthcare impact of the spike in cases is still low. The number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs remains under ten at any given time, whereas during the peak of the pandemic, there were 1,726 hospitalised patients. Polyclinics, which treat a significant proportion of acute illness cases in primary care, have also observed an increase in respiratory infection cases. Medical professionals are urging the public, especially those who are medically vulnerable or elderly with underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated against influenza and receive booster shots for COVID-19. Influenza vaccination is free for those enrolled in the national healthcare scheme, Healthier SG. While the flu causes about 600 deaths annually in Singapore, COVID-19 has led to 226 deaths in the first 10 months of 2023.