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,Read more
COVID-19 outbreak highlights weaknesses of society Read More »
The Public Health Translational Team (PHTT) has been producing the weekly COVID-19 Science Reports since the beginning of the epidemic in Singapore. It started when Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Chief Health Scientist at the Ministry of Health (MOH), asked for the School’s help to collate relevant information on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. The first report
SSHSPH COVID-19 Science Reports shared across the world Read More »
Singapore’s ‘circuit breaker’ measures aim to lower the basic reproduction number of COVID-19, also known as R0 (prounounced R-naught), and reduce the average number of people who catch the virus from a single infected person. According to Vice Dean (Research), Associate Professor Alex Cook, data suggests that Singapore’s cumulative measures to contain the outbreak have
COVID-19: How Singapore’s ‘circuit breaker’ helps to prevent further spread Read More »
The ‘circuit breaker’, Singapore’s tightest measures so far to curb the spread of the virus, started on 7 April and will last for at least four weeks. It calls for Singaporeans to stay at home as far as possible, and to keep contact with others to a minimum and within the immediate household. The measures
COVID-19: Three areas of transmission to keep an eye on Read More »
Amid the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Singapore government is no longer discouraging people from wearing masks when they are well. The new evidence suggests that infected people may be able to spread the virus to others for two to three days before becoming ill, says Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases). He
On 3 April, Singapore announced a set of ‘circuit breaker’ measures to reduce local transmission of COVID-19 here. These include closure of workplace premises and schools shifting to full home-based learning. The latest measures work like a ‘circuit breaker’ as they restrict the number of people that are moving in the community and in public
COVID-19: ‘Circuit breaker’ measures to minimise local transmission Read More »
With an escalating number of unlinked cases, Singapore is likely to see a surge in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks. New cases with no apparent links to existing cases are a cause for concern as they signal greater community transmission, said Vice Dean (Research), Associate Professor Alex Cook. He said: “We have three different
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore has crossed 1,000 recently. Members of the public are urged to observe the increasingly stringent measures implemented to contain the outbreak. In his interviews with The Straits Times and Channel 8, Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying emphasised the importance of each individual following these measures: Wash your
COVID-19: Act accordingly and responsibly Read More »
Starting 1 January 2021, the minimum legal age to smoke in Singapore will be raised to 21 years old. This is part of the Ministry of Health’s continued efforts to de-normalise smoking and reduce smoking prevalence in youths. Commenting on the rationale behind the raised legal age limit, Assistant Professor Yvette van der Eijk said
Why Singapore raised the legal age limit for smoking Read More »
With the increase in clusters and unlinked cases here, Singapore faces the threat of an uncontrollable spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As imported cases taper off, the country is entering a new phase of community transmission, with local cases set to dominate yet again. This is of concern because it means the
COVID-19: It is up to each individual to prevent further spread of the virus Read More »