MOH Highlights Increased Risk of Reinfection and Transmissibility of the Variant
On December 5, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) warned that more cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant are expected, both at the borders and within the community. The MOH’s update follows two imported cases that tested “preliminarily positive” for Omicron on December 2. As the variant spreads globally, Singapore anticipates more Omicron cases in the coming weeks.
The MOH stated that Omicron may be more transmissible than previous variants, such as Delta and Beta, and carries a higher likelihood of reinfection, especially among individuals who have previously recovered from Covid-19. While many questions about the variant remain unanswered, the health ministry continues to monitor global clinical findings and has been in contact with experts from affected countries.
Regarding vaccine efficacy, the MOH reassured the public that existing Covid-19 vaccines remain effective, particularly in preventing severe illness. It encouraged eligible individuals to get vaccinated or receive booster doses to protect against current and future variants.
In terms of severity, the ministry noted that Omicron infections so far have mostly presented mild symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, and fatigue, with no Omicron-related deaths reported yet. Tests, including antigen rapid tests and PCR tests, have proven effective in detecting the variant.
Additionally, the MOH addressed concerns about the impact of Omicron on younger populations in South Africa, where higher hospitalisation rates were observed. This could be attributed to a higher overall infection rate, or the presence of hospitalised patients who tested positive for Omicron while in care. MOH will continue to collect data, particularly on older individuals, to better understand the variant’s severity.
