The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Singapore has led to an increase in demand for Immediate Antigen Test (ART) kits, which are reportedly out of stock in several supermarkets and pharmacies in Singapore.
A reader of the Shin Min Daily News said he visited 3 pharmacies on Tuesday, December 5, but was unable to purchase ART kits.
A Chinese journalist also encountered the same challenge when he visited some supermarkets and pharmacies on Wednesday morning.
According to a pharmacy worker who requested anonymity, ART kits have been the most requested over the past few days, with consumers emptying shelves as soon as inventory is replenished.
The worker added that there is also demand for over-the-counter cough and flu medications.
Shin Min spoke to Jumat, a member of the public who revealed that he had recently been tested for Covid-19 for the third time just two weeks ago.
Although he was thankful that his symptoms weren’t too severe this time, the 57-year-old wanted to buy some ART kits for his family. After visiting multiple places, he was finally able to purchase a box from a pharmacy that morning.
Another woman, named Tan, said she had been hospitalized with Covid-19 in the past. To avoid going through this ordeal again, the 65-year-old now wears a mask every time she goes out.
A doctor from the Shalom Medical Group told Shin Min that breathing problems have increased due to the recent weather conditions. However, most of those patients have mild symptoms.
He added that between 20 and 30 percent of patients have tested positive for Covid-19.
“The backlog of cases started last month. Compared to October, when only one patient would test positive for Covid-19, we now regularly see around 4 or five cases, many of whom have recently returned from abroad. “
Another doctor at Chua Medical said on Wednesday that he had noticed around 10 Covid-19 patients at his clinic this afternoon.
His clinic has also run out of Paxlovoid, a medication used for those aged 50 and over who are at risk of suffering severe illness due to Covid-19, and is rushing to restock his supplies.
Last Saturday (December 2), the Ministry of Health called on the population to remain vigilant after the number of local Covid-19 cases doubled.
During the week of Nov. 19-25, the estimated number of Covid-19 infections doubled to 22,094 from 10,726 last week, the ministry said.
However, the average number of hospitalizations and ICU instances due to Covid-19 has remained stable.
At the end of November, the EG. 5 variant of the virus and its HK. 3 sublineage were the main subvariants, accounting for more than 70 percent of cases.
MOH also said that the increase in Covid-19 cases could be due to many factors, such as the increase in year-end travel, as well as waning population immunity.
On Nov. 2, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to social media to inspire other seniors aged 60 and over, as well as other medically vulnerable people, to stay up to date with Covid-19 vaccines.
Prime Minister Lee also said he won an updated vaccine at Singapore General Hospital.
The updated vaccine was released by the Ministry of Health on Oct. 30 and is based on Omicron XBB 1. 5, which better protects against existing and emerging strains of the virus.
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