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A policy review published in The Lancet identified five key factors for developing strategies to ease lockdown restrictions: knowledge of infection levels, community engagement, public health capacity, health system capacity, and border control measures. Analysing the successes and failures of nine high-income countries and regions (Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom), the authors found an absence of clear and consistent strategies for exiting restrictions and identified key cross-country lessons that can be learnt. Lead author, Associate Professor Helena Legido-Quigley said, “COVID-19Read more

During the recent parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that scientists have been talking about ‘Disease X’, a highly infectious, deadly disease whose pathogen mutates easily. “COVID-19 has been a disaster for the world, but it is not Disease X. It is not the worst new disease that can befall humankind,” said PM Lee, warning that it was only a matter of time before it happens and Singapore must build up its resilience, instincts and preparedness for when it arrives. Vice Dean (Research), Assoc Prof Alex Cook, said

Just eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are engaged in a global race to develop a vaccine that may potentially eradicate the deadly virus. According to the latest report from the World Health Organization, currently, 31 vaccines are in clinical evaluation, with another 142 candidate vaccines in preclinical evaluation. While the rapid advancement through the rigorous stages of clinical trials has been impressive, experts have voiced concerns over the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying said that there is the

COVID-19 infection numbers have risen tremendously across several Southeast Asian countries over the recent weeks. The sudden surge in cases is mounting worries that the region could become a potential pandemic hot spot. Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, Director of Global Health, attributed the varying transmission rates across countries to four ‘B’s — Biology, Behaviour, Bureaucracy and Bytes. “It’s the same virus around the world, so the biology is more or less the same,” said Assoc Prof Lim. “On behaviour, safe distancing and masks are very pertinent. If nothing else, the

It has been six months since COVID-19 hit Singapore, making mask-wearing and social distancing the ‘new normal’ now. However, our fight against the virus is increasingly turning into a mental battle as fatigue sets in. Over the weekend, crowds were observed gathering at shopping malls, eateries and beaches. Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying commented that it is inevitable that individuals start to let down their guard, become complacent, or simply frustrated, after months of facing the strain of COVID-19. Prof Teo pointed out that while public education is key to

Half a year after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Singapore, what are some of the lessons learnt so far and how can these shape the way we tackle the pandemic moving forward? The Straits Times held a webinar to examine this with an expert panel comprising Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying, Professor Dale Fisher and Professor Ooi Eng Eong. Held on 23 July, the hour-long webinar was moderated by senior health correspondent Salma Khalik and saw over 1,000 participants. A broad scope of topics relating to COVID-19 was