Governments around the world are beginning to ease restrictions as the virus shows signs of slowing down. There are discussions in a number of countries about the use of ‘immunity certificates’ that would allow people to show they have antibodies to the disease and are therefore allowed to work or travel. But the World HealthRead more
WHO cautions against COVID-19 ‘immunity passports’ Read More »
At the start of the year, prestigious journal Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) welcomed PhD student Mr Rayner Tan on its editorial board, as part of the editorial team of its new series — Perspectives. The second issue was published on 17 April 2020, with Rayner as one of the co-authors. Today we have the pleasure
Let’s Talk Public Health with Rayner Tan Read More »
On 21 April, the government announced the extension of Singapore’s ‘circuit breaker’ measures to 1 June. While there are encouraging signs that the measures have been effective so far, Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying said that the numbers of new cases have not fallen as quickly as expected. He added that after more than two
COVID-19: Entire system must be flexible to overcome challenges Read More »
Assistant Professor Clarence Tam and his team have been awarded grant funding from the Wellcome Trust to strengthen the evidence base on SARS-CoV-2. They will conduct a serological study to investigate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population in three settings in Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. The study aims to provide
Most Singaporeans will remember the 2003 SARS epidemic, or the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Less well remembered are three other influenza pandemics of the 20th century: the 1918 Spanish flu, the 1957 ‘Asian flu’ and the 1968 ‘Hong Kong flu’. As we face the current COVID-19 outbreak, what are the lessons that we can learn by
Three pandemics that Singapore can learn from Read More »
The number of new daily local cases has held steady over the past two weeks, with an average of 37 a day in the last week. Vice Dean (Research), Associate Professor Alex Cook said that the ‘circuit breaker’ measures are targeted at reducing such local cases, and there have been “quite reassuring signs” that it
COVID-19: Local cases hold steady as dormitory-linked cases spike Read More »
During a virtual ‘Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19’ held on 14 April, ASEAN leaders and the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea pledged to boost cooperation to curb the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate the pandemic’s devastating economic fallout. In a declaration after the summit, ASEAN leaders emphasised a ‘whole-of-ASEAN community
Coordinated, ‘whole-of-ASEAN’ approach needed to overcome pandemic Read More »
Singapore recorded its highest daily increase earlier this week, with 386 new cases confirmed on 13 April. We are now fighting COVID-19 on two distinct fronts — in the community and in foreign worker dormitories, said Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying. While the government has implemented more measures to curb further spread in the dorms,
COVID-19: Battling community transmission on two fronts Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health and economic crisis that requires a concerted global response. So far, responses have mostly been at the country or city level, in part because pandemic preparedness planning and implementation have largely been the responsibility of individual governments. But this has to change if the world is to emerge
COVID-19: Global leaders need to coordinate exit from national lockdowns Read More »
Singapore managed to contain the outbreak in its first two months here, earning praise from around the world. However, the number of cases has steadily risen in the past few weeks; first with imported cases as people returned home, and then with local cases as the virus spread within the community. Over the last week,
COVID-19 outbreak highlights weaknesses of society Read More »