Doctors in Singapore are calling on people to vaccinate and to put on a face mask to reduce the usual year-end increase in acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and the common cold.
Healthway Medical, the largest GP chain with more than 120 clinics, and Parkway Shenton with 55 GP clinics, say they have noticed a 30% increase in respiratory infections, according to a Straits Times report published Tuesday.
Raffles Medical, with 43 GP clinics, has also detected an increase in such conditions, the report adds.
The most recent data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the week ending December 2 showed an average of 2,970 cases per day across Singapore’s 25 polyclinics, compared to a five-year average of 2,009 cases from 2018 to 2022 for this year period.
Although this figure is lower than the 3,000 to 3,500 per day in the years before the pandemic, the figure follows nearly three years of low infection rates due to COVID-19 precautions.
In 2020 and 2021, polyclinics were seeing fewer than 1,000 cases a day in early December.
Polyclinics treat about 20 percent of acute cases in primary care, with the rest provided through 1,800 general practitioner clinics.
In the same week, more than 32,000 people were diagnosed with COVID-19: around 460 were hospitalized and nine required intensive care, particularly increasing the shortage of beds in public hospitals.
Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious disease expert at the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said: “During this holiday season, as upper respiratory infections rise and COVID-19 cases pile up, it is vital to be mindful of others. Wear a mask in crowded places, stay home if you’re sick, and get the latest flu shot and a COVID-19 booster to avoid disrupting your plans. Dr. Jonathan Tan, a family physician at Healthway, added, “We usually see more respiratory infections by the end of the year. However, this year we are seeing an even greater increase in the number of upper respiratory tract infections.
“Fortunately, the majority of cases are mild and can be treated in an outpatient setting,” he said.
He also urged people to keep up with flu and Covid-19 vaccinations and wear masks, especially in crowded places, as this reduces the chances of catching airborne insects.
Covid-19 vaccines are available in Singapore, as is the flu vaccine for those who have enrolled in Healthier SG, the national scheme created in 2023 to inspire others to go to a family doctor who can provide preventative care to stay. they are healthy.
The actual number of people with Influenza is relatively low, with the majority suffering from the common cold.
The Ministry of Health, which tracks influenza infections for potential pandemics, states: “The proportion of patients with influenza-like illness among polyclinic consultations for acute respiratory infections is 0. 5%. » Of this small number of people suffering from a flu-like illness, only 11. 5 percent have tested positive for the flu virus in the past four weeks.
El Dr. Tan said other people who are feeling unwell deserve to get a temporary Covid-19 test at home. If they test positive, it is possible to take antiviral medications such as Tamiflu, which will reduce the severity of symptoms.
Dr Edwin Chng, chief medical officer at Parkway Shenton, said: “People with threat factors, add the elderly and those who are immunocompromised, deserve to see a doctor for a proper assessment. » He said other people deserve to practice smart hygiene, anything most people did during the pandemic years, such as washing their hands and not touching their face with their hands, as this could only spread illnesses like the common cold. and the flu.
Dr. Chng Shih Kiat, chief medical officer at Raffles Medical, said some patients seen at his clinics had to be prescribed antivirals, even though most of the patients had mild symptoms.
To get sick, he pleaded with other people to stay healthy and eat balanced nutrition with a sufficient intake of nuts and vegetables.
“It is also important to get ample rest and stay hydrated. Exercise regularly, but do not over-exert with overzealous exercise routines. When travelling, wear a mask, especially in crowded places,” the broadsheet had Dr Chng as saying.
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