The first week of December saw a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, reaching 56,043, which prompted the authorities to issue a travel advisory. The island nation recorded a roughly 24,000-case increase between December 3 and December 9, as opposed to the 32,035 cases that were reported the week before. The bulk of new cases, according to the ministry, are caused by the JN.1 variation, which is a sublineage of BA.2.86.
Singapore Issues COVID-19 Health Advisory For Travellers
15 JN.1* sequences detected among travelers with a travel history (to/fro) India through Singapore Airport Surveillance.
No direct reports of JN.1* sequences from India as of now. https://t.co/sVfVy4UUMp pic.twitter.com/NPqrGdtdlE
— Raj Rajnarayanan (@RajlabN) December 11, 2023
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health’s most recent bulletin, the average daily hospitalisations for COVID-19 jumped to 350 from 225 the week prior, and the average daily cases in the ICU increased to nine from four the week prior.
It did state, however, that there is currently no conclusive evidence that either JN.1 or BA.2.86 were more contagious or caused more severe illness than other circulating variations, based on the available local and worldwide data.
Singaporean authorities have called on the public to practice social and personal responsibility in the aftermath of an increase in incidents. People who are ill with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection have been encouraged to stay at home until their symptoms go away and to avoid social interactions. (As per Business Insider)
People Asked To Practice Personal And Social Responsibility
People are asked to practice social responsibility by wearing masks, limiting their social engagements, and staying away from crowded areas if they must interact with someone when they’re ill.
Even if a person is not ill, the Ministry of Health (MOH) strongly advises them to wear a mask in busy areas, particularly indoors and while they are visiting or socialising with vulnerable individuals, according to the ministry.
Travellers should take the necessary safety precautions, like buying travel insurance, wearing masks at the airport, and staying away from congested, poorly ventilated locations.
Meanwhile, Kerala, India, has reported a case of the coronavirus strain JN.1. According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, tests at the Singapore airport revealed the condition among Indians.
Also Read: Hyderabad Ranks First With Highest Number Of Food Adulteration Cases In India As Per NCRB
Advisory
Additionally, before entering Singapore, travellers are urged by the ministry to review the travel advisory.
See your physician 4-6 weeks before departure for a travel health risk assessment, which will include recommendations regarding necessary vaccines or prophylactics.
If you are visiting a place where yellow fever is a danger, kindly note that you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination in order to enter Singapore.
Verify and understand the destination’s health and admission criteria. Before granting you access, several nations could ask for documentation of vaccination against diseases including meningococcal and yellow fever.
If you feel sick or experience respiratory symptoms like a runny nose or cough, use a mask, get medical help very soon, and let the doctor know about any previous travel history you may have.
Make sure you follow the travel advisory and stay safe!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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