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Singapore – Since the pandemic first appeared, only 60 people in Singapore have died of COVID-19, and now about 82% of the population has died of Full vaccination Fight the disease.
In June, the government announced that it would shift to a “coexistence with COVID-19” strategy, focusing on tracking and treating outbreaks through vaccinations and hospitalization—but without strict lockdowns, border closures, and work-from-home orders. It has become a defining feature of most epidemics around the world.
That month, it began to gradually loosen restrictions on the coronavirus, but the following weeks exposed the challenge of turning from a pandemic to an endemic disease.
Relaxing restrictions on sent cases SoaringThe reopening plan was postponed and some restrictions were re-implemented, so that Singaporeans who were tired of the blockade felt deja vu again.
After several months of relatively low daily new cases, Singapore’s daily new cases reported last weekend exceeded the 1,000 mark, which is the highest level since April last year.
Health officials detected 1,012 new cases on Sunday, up from 1,009 new cases on Saturday. There were 873 hospitalized patients on Sunday (863 on Saturday), 118 severe cases (105 on Saturday), and 21 in the intensive care unit (18 on Saturday).
The government calls this increase a “coming-of-age ceremony” because the island nation is adapting and adjusting its desired model of coexistence with the virus and its variants (rather than eradication).
Health Minister Wang Yikang said at a virtual press conference on Friday: “We are on the road to transition to the new normal of COVID-19 life.” “This is a journey full of uncertainty and twists and turns.”
Now that more than 80% of the population is vaccinated, Singapore is looking for ways to coexist with the coronavirus [File: Wallace Woon/EPA]The number of patients in public hospitals has skyrocketed, but the vast majority (over 98%) have no symptoms or mild symptoms, so health officials are now urging them to go to general practitioners or clinics to free up the hospital for emergency care.
On Saturday, health officials adopted home rehabilitation as the default care management model for patients 12 to 69 years old who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have no severe symptoms. According to the new plan, seven out of ten patients are expected to be eligible to recover at home. The plan aims to ease the increasing pressure on hospitals, intensive care units and healthcare communities to cope with the endless battle.
Dr. Ong Eu Jin Roy, a family doctor in Singapore, said that the medical staff is almost exhausted.
“We have been patient, but there must be an end point where we can see the goal posts,” Ong said. “When the government wants us to open up and become endemic, I think it’s good because we are really close to the limit. You can’t be on high alert, adrenaline is increasing every day. It can’t continue.”
‘Return to the roots’
In addition to improving the ability of medical services to deal with the increase in cases, Dr. Steven Tucker also believes that the country has expanded the scope of services to help residents cope with mental health issues and Stress caused by COVID, From anxiety about personal safety to rent reductions for food and beverage companies that were forced to close due to lockdown orders.
“The stressors that affect everyone, although they may be variable, they are:’Am I going to get sick? Will my family be sick? Do I need to be isolated? Can I get care?” Tucker, an American-trained oncologist living and practicing in Singapore, told Al Jazeera.
Tucker added: “All of this constitutes a mental health stress. Singapore has responded very quickly, acknowledged and worked hard to resolve it.”
Dr. Ong said that this country with a population of 5.7 million has not yet reached the epidemic stage, where the virus becomes a thing in people’s daily lives, such as influenza.
Ong told Al Jazeera: “When half of our friends have or have been infected, I would say it is local.” “Now, one-tenth or one-tenth of our friends may have it. In my circle, only my relatives have had it. None of my friends have.”
However, even if the virus only poses a serious risk to vulnerable and unvaccinated people, contracting COVID-19 means that Singaporeans have taken many precautions-including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, working at home, eating at home, and restricting entry Ong said that travelers-are likely to stay for the foreseeable future.
He also believes that with the emergence of mutations, enhanced injections will have a place in Singapore’s ongoing coronavirus strategy, and rapid tests will be carried out daily or weekly at work until the epidemics around the world are under control and the virus gradually loses its effectiveness.
Singaporeans comply with the government’s regulations on wearing masks and must register through the app at the places they visit for contact tracing [Roslan Rahman/AFP]One of the reasons for the high vaccination rate in Singapore is that it is difficult for the country to do things without full vaccination-such as being allowed to enter restaurants or other public places.
Janet Ikovic, a professor of public health and psychology at Yale-National University of Singapore, told Al Jazeera: “Singapore’s performance is relatively good, with extensive testing, tracking, vaccinations, and extensive compliance with government policies.” These practices and policies will continue here, because global epidemics continue to exist, there are more infectious variants and the lack of global vaccines. All people are vulnerable, if any, this is the basic principle of public health; Therefore, we must remain vigilant.”
She added: “How do we deal with COVID-19? Back to basics: wash your hands, wear masks, go out for gatherings, maintain social distancing, stay at home if you feel uncomfortable. Try to simplify your work, evaluate and clarify what you need to get the job done Conditions and embrace flexibility.”
Follow the rules
Media entrepreneur Juliana Chan said she appreciates the amount of work done to prevent the spread of the virus. When a classmate contracted COVID-19, her daughter was quarantined and her son had to take time off.
“We visit our home regularly in person or via video calls, and we receive text messages and calls every day,” Chen told Al Jazeera. “Large-scale contact tracing is a difficult task, and the professionalism of all relevant employees has left a deep impression on me.”
Eugene Tan, associate professor of law at Singapore Management University, said that Singaporeans are willing to abide by government instructions, such as wearing masks, which was also common during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which helps to play a decisive leadership role.
Tan told Al Jazeera: “Singapore’s experience shows that not only the entire government, but also the entire society’s approach is needed to deal with this epidemic.” “Although Singapore benefits from cooperating citizens, the use of technology for contact tracing is essential for control The pandemic is also crucial.”
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received a booster injection of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at the Singapore General Hospital last Friday [Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI)/Handout via Reuters]Although some in the business community complain privately that it is time to allow more freedom of cross-border travel, many say that Singapore’s handling of the pandemic helps its status as a global business center.
Steven Okun of McLarty Associates, a consulting firm, told Al Jazeera: “If anything, Singapore has become more attractive as a global and regional business center in the past two years.” “For example, due to the Sino-US trade tensions and given the pandemic A more flexible supply chain is needed, and companies in China and the United States both view Southeast Asia as a key market.”
Although Singapore’s vaccination rate is the highest in the world, the country is still trying to persuade skeptics to vaccinate.
On Friday, Premier Lee Hsien Loong, who had been vaccinated nearly eight months ago, received the COVID-19 booster injection, shared a photo and video, and sent messages to other senior citizens.
“The number of cases is increasing rapidly. Increasing the jab will strengthen your protection against COVID-19,” Lee said on Facebook.
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