Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong debunks circuit breaker rumours; MOH assures sufficient ART kit stocks
DPM addresses misinformation as COVID-19 cases increase in Singapore, while the Health Ministry advises against hoarding ART kits
SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took to Facebook on Monday (11 December) to debunk rumours regarding the reinstatement of a circuit breaker, clarifying that such claims are false.
He also addressed the issue of fake content, specifically mentioning that posts portraying his endorsement of commercial products are deepfakes.
"These are all falsehoods. Let's stay vigilant and discerning online," he wrote.
Rising number of COVID-19 cases grip Singapore
In 2020, Singapore implemented a two-month circuit breaker period to curb the spread of COVID-19, in the early days of the pandemic when there were no vaccines available yet.
The city-state is currently facing a steep rise in coronavirus cases. In the week ending on 2 December, 32,035 individuals tested positive for the virus, marking the highest number of infections in 2023.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) also reported a doubling of estimated local COVID-19 infections from 19 to 25 November, reaching 22,094 cases compared to the previous week's 10,726 cases. It added that it is closely tracking this COVID-19 wave to ensure that Singapore's healthcare capacity is able to cope, as the wave has already piled on the workload amid its hospitals.
MOH assures sufficient supply of ART test kits
MOH issued another statement on Monday advising against hoarding antigen rapid test (ART) kits due to the increased cases. The Straits Times reported the ministry assuring the public of sufficient supplies in local retailers and pharmacies, stating that fresh orders have been placed to meet the growing demand.
Additionally, MOH mentioned that it is maintaining its own stockpile of ART kits and pledged support to retailers if necessary. It also recommended for individuals to purchase kits for their immediate needs.
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has strained medical resources, resulting in a heightened demand for ART kits. According to The Straits Times, checks conducted on 6 December found some pharmacies and stores had run out of ART kits, with not all were being restocked the following day.
According to a report by CNA, a spokesperson from health and beauty retailer Guardian stated on Monday that there has been a 50 per cent increase in the sale of masks and ART kits over the past fortnight.
Guardian also reported a “notable increase” in the demand for cold and flu medication. The retailer assured the public that it is working closely with suppliers to maintain sufficient stock levels of essential items like masks, ART kits, as well as fever, cough, and cold remedies in its stores.
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