By SINGAPORE— According to the official COVID-19 statistics published on the Ministry of Health (MOH) website, there have been over 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 locally per week for two consecutive weeks.
During week 10 and week 11 this year, the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded was 10,352 and 10,464, respectively.
This represents a sharp increase compared to the end of February and early March, when the numbers were only around 4,400 cases per week.
Since changing its approach towards the coronavirus, the MOH has been tracking the average number of cases per Epi-week instead of on a daily basis.
The number of new COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals and intensive care units (ICU) has also increased significantly in the past two weeks.
In the first nine weeks of this year, the average number of new hospitalizations per week was maintained below 100.
But in the tenth week, it increased to 160 people; in the eleventh week, it increased to 218 people.
Doctors warn of potential increase in COVID-19 cases due to lax preventive measures
Two doctors interviewed by Chinese media, 8World News, have warned that the number of COVID-19 cases may continue to rise as people become more lax about preventive measures.
Dr Chua from Chua Medical Clinic stated that in January and February, hardly any COVID-19 patients visited the clinic, but since March, there have been five to eight confirmed cases daily.
Dr Siow from Healthmark Family Medicine Clinic stated that the number of COVID-19 patients has increased by 5% to 10% in the past two weeks, potentially due to people becoming more relaxed about preventive measures.
“I expect that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases visiting clinics will increase to 20%. Vaccination is essential, especially now that the government has lifted all measures,” said Dr Siow.