Singapore recorded about 12,700 new Covid infections between May 10 and 16, up from roughly 8,000 the previous week — a 58.8 percent increase, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) reported. Average daily Covid hospitalisations rose from 56 to 73 over the same period, with an average of one patient referred to intensive care per day. No deaths were reported during that week.
The CDA said periodic Covid waves are expected, as with other endemic respiratory illnesses, and there is no evidence that the variants currently circulating locally are more transmissible or more severe than earlier strains. The NB.1.8.1 variant, a descendant of JN.1, accounts for more than half of locally sequenced cases and is the dominant strain in the recent rise. The agency suggested the surge may reflect several factors, including waning population immunity.
Vaccination remains effective against the circulating variant, the CDA said. It reiterated that people at higher risk of severe illness — especially those aged 60 and older and young children — should be vaccinated.
The agency advised the public to exercise personal and social responsibility: maintain good personal hygiene, avoid social interactions and unnecessary travel while unwell, and wear a mask when symptomatic to reduce further spread.
