Given that PM Lee recently said that we must learn to live with COVID-19, you’d think that today’s COVID-19 press conference would be able what we can do come 25 October, when the Stabilisation Phase is supposed to end.
Well, hold your horses and your dollars, because the Stabilisation Phase has been extended.
Here are the things you should know.
Stabilisation Phase to Be Extended to 21 November
Well, first thing first: all restrictions that are currently in place will end on 21 November instead of 25 October. The authorities will review the measures at the two-week mark and adjust these based on the community situation then.
So, why the extension?
Pressure on Healthcare System
We entered the Stabilisation Phase on 27 September 2021 to slow the rate of transmission and protect our healthcare system.
However, as you’d probably know, the rate of transmission didn’t slow down that much, and there is continuing pressures on our healthcare system.
The number of persons requiring ICU care is continuing to rise at a similar rate as our overall case numbers, albeit with a lag. We have had 80 new cases in ICU over the past two weeks, as compared to 46 over the preceding two weeks.
With the rise in cases, we are also seeing more infected persons being admitted into hospitals and treatment facilities. Currently, 1,738 cases (around 10% of COVID-19 patients) are admitted either into hospitals or CTFs because of more severe symptoms or co-morbidities which require close observation.
89% of our isolation beds have been filled.
The occupancy rates for ICU beds, which consist of existing COVID cases requiring ICU care, COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU for monitoring, as well as non-COVID patients, stands at about 67%.
As you can see, the numbers aren’t looking great if we continue to see over 3,000 new cases daily.
But didn’t MOH say they’re creating a system to handle more cases?
Well, they are.
Setting Aside More Beds
To cope with the increase in cases, MOH has been proactively working with the public, community and private hospitals to set aside more beds for COVID-19 patients.
We are currently operating a total of 4,200 hospital and CTF beds. Of these, about 200 are ICU beds, and another 100 can be stood up to handle ICU cases at short notice.
To reduce the load, the hospital clinical teams have been actively referring more stable patients to CTFs for further monitoring.
MOH is also working with community hospitals to operate more CTF-type beds to ensure continuity of care and assist in further recovery and rehabilitation of recovering older COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities.
Simply put, a system is indeed prepared for a surge in cases.
Letting 5 People from the Same Household to Dine in Together is Still Risky But Authorities Are Looking Into it
Lest you’ve forgotten because you’ve given up on dining in, here are the rules: unvaccinated individuals cannot dine in any eatery, while vaccinated individuals can only eat out in pairs.
Which begs the question: why not allow household members to dine in eateries in a bigger group?
Finance Minister and co-chair of the multi-ministry task force said, “For now, we think it’s still too risky to make such a move because of the pressure on the healthcare system, but it is indeed something we are looking into.”
Why Would One More Month Help?
With this extension, people would wonder: where’s the light at the end of the tunnel, since most of us are vaccinated? After all, we thought life would be normal when we reach herd immunity.
Mr Wong has this to say: “This phase will not last indefinitely…At some point, the wave will peak. We will also have better immunity against the virus as more people get exposed to it, and we will have more people having boosters in the coming weeks.”
So yes, like what he said earlier, many of us would eventually be infected.
You can watch this video to the end to know more about Singapore’s plan for COVID-19:
The Extension isn’t “Frozen”
Basically, this means that during the one-month extension, some restrictions might be eased.
Mr Wong said, “It doesn’t mean all the measures will have to remain frozen or static throughout this entire month.”
The authorities will review measures in certain settings and might make changes in those areas first.
In other words, if you’re a family of three…cross your fingers.
Support for Businesses and Individuals
You can almost hear the collective sighs from business owners, but as usual, the Government is offering targeted support for affected businesses and individuals.
The Government will extend the Jobs Support Scheme support at 25% for sectors significantly affected by the continuing tightened measures. These are: F&B, retail, cinemas, museums, art galleries, historical sites, family entertainment, tourism, gyms and fitness studios, and performing arts and arts education.
They will also provide a 0.5 month rental waiver for qualifying tenants on Government-owned commercial properties. Qualifying tenant-occupiers and owner-occupiers of privately-owned commercial properties will also be given a 0.5 month rental relief cash payout under the Rental Support Scheme (RSS).
Cooked food and market stallholders in centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or NEA-appointed operators will receive a 0.5 month rental waiver.
Taxi and private hire car drivers will continue to get the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund payout at $10 and $5 per vehicle per day in November and December 2021 respectively.
This cost the Government $640 million, but no worries, President Halimah does not need to open the safe: This will be funded from the higher-than-expected revenues collected to-date.
Ivermectin, The Talk of the Town
Lest you’re not aware, ivermectin is the talk of the town after a senior was hospitalised for consuming it to “plunge out” COVID-19.
For the record, it’s not a drug used to treat COVID-19, and misinformation about it has been spreading rapidly.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung addressed this today, saying that they’re looking into using the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) on those who spread falsehoods about COVID-19 treatment.
Anyone in some shady Telegram group reading this?
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Featured Image: YouTube (CNA)