COVID-19: MOH to initiate POFMA action against rumours of spikes in cases and deaths

·Editor

Updated 11 October 2022 at 9:22 pm·2-min read

The Ministry of Health (left) is initiating POFMA action against rumours of rapid and large increase in COVID-19 cases. (PHOTOS: MOH/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is initiating POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) action against rumours that Singapore is have a rapid and large increase in COVID-19 cases with severe illness and deaths.

In a media statement on Tuesday (11 October), the ministry said that such rumours have been circulating via WhatsApp, alleging that these cases are due to the circulating XBB strain, which is another Omicron sub-variant.

MOH has refuted such rumours, adding in its statement, "While there is an increase in local cases driven by XBB, including the post-weekend spike this Tuesday, the number of severe cases has remained relatively low.

"This is very likely due to the resilience built up through vaccination and previous waves of infection. We are monitoring the trajectory closely.

"More importantly, there is also no evidence of XBB causing more severe illness. So far, the large majority of patients continue to report mild symptoms such as sore throat or slight fever, especially if they have been vaccinated."

Over 11,000 new COVID-19 infections

MOH reported 11,732 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, more than doubling from the 4,719 new local cases on Monday.

There are 11 intensive care unit (ICU) cases and 50 who need oxygen supplementation, slightly higher than the level observed in the past few months. In comparison, the numbers were 171 (ICU) and 308 (oxygen supplementation) during the Delta wave, and 54 (ICU) and 242 (oxygen supplementation) during the Omicron wave.

There are currently 490 hospitalised cases, compared to 1,600 at the peak of the Delta wave and about 800 at the peak of the Omicron wave.

MOH has nonetheless advised the public not to rush to the hospitals’ Emergency Departments (ED) unless experiencing an emergency medical condition, as these departments continue to be very busy.

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Over 11,000 new COVID-19 infections

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