As the health ministry says every day in its COVID-19 update, there is evidence that vaccination helps to prevent serious disease when one gets infected.
While inoculated individuals may still contract the virus, they are far less likely to suffer severe illness.
This means that it’s less risky for a vaccinated individual to go out and about than someone who hasn’t been jabbed.
With community cases rising at an alarming rate, the best thing to do for such individuals is to stay at home.
MOH Urges Unvaccinated Seniors to Stay Home As Much As Possible Due to Wet Market Cases
Yes, it’s those three words again.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) urged unvaccinated residents, especially the elderly, to “stay home as much as possible” in the next few weeks.
This means avoiding leaving one’s house for non-essential reasons.
“We urge members of the public to reach out to your elderly relatives or neighbours who remain unvaccinated to see what assistance they may require, e.g. to buy daily necessities,” it said.
The ministry is particularly concerned about the elderly, given how vulnerable they are to the virus.
What’s more, some seniors visit wet markets regularly, and there’s a concern that they may already be carrying the virus.
“The porous nature of wet markets makes contact tracing and isolation less straightforward. We are particularly concerned that these wet markets serve a range of customers, including the vulnerable elderly, some of whom remain unvaccinated. They might be infected, and could suffer severe symptoms,” the ministry said.
At the moment, there are two confirmed COVID-19 clusters at wet markets. They are:
- Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
- Chong Boon Market & Food Centre
MOH has also detected cases at Amoy Street Food Centre and Chong Pang Market & Food Centre.
Take Precautions If You Have an Unvaccinated Elderly Family Member at Home
Have an unvaccinated elderly family member at home? Well, you should avoid crowded places and extensive social interactions, MOH said.
Even if you’re vaccinated, you can still contract the virus and bring it home with you.
And unless you have a quarantine centre in your home, it’s likely that you’ll pass the virus on to your elderly family member, who is more likely to fall severely ill.
Less Than 70% of Seniors Above 70 Fully Vaccinated
At the moment, less than 70% of seniors aged 70 and above have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
As for those aged 60 to 69, more than 80% have been fully vaccinated.
This is why the authorities continue to encourage all individuals, especially seniors, who have not yet been vaccinated to do so.
The quicker we’re all vaccinated, the faster life can return to normal.
Featured Image: Dr David Sing/ shutterstock.com