Children aged five to 11 years old reportedly have the highest rate of Covid-19 infection here in Singapore, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.
On Tuesday (8 February), Mr Ong was the guest of honour and spoke at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards held at the Singapore General Hospital Campus. The Covid-19 infection rate of children aged five to 11 was among the many topics he brought up during the event.
Children Aged 5 to 11 Have Highest Covid-19 Infection Rate
The infection rate for children of this age group is currently about 67 per 100,000 population. The next highest infection rate is those aged 12 to 19 at about 55 per 100,000.
Mr Ong said how this is different as compared to during the Delta variant wave, which mostly infected older adults. The current infection rate among older age groups is lower, but the minister did not give further details.
Situation in hospitals
Mr Ong also noted that while hospitals may not currently be stressed in the same way as during the delta wave, there is still a need to ensure that there are sufficient paediatric beds.
"With more children and young people getting infected, severe cases are inevitable, and we need to ensure that there are sufficient beds for them," he said.
He added that public and private hospitals are standing up more such beds. Covid-19 treatment facilities are also converting beds for children and their caregivers. The facility Connext@Changi at Expo, for instance, have 660 beds being prepared.
The minister said it is fortunate that the hospitalisation of children due to Covid-19 is often precautionary in nature, with short stays of two to three days.
He made sure to add, "Notwithstanding, it is important to get them vaccinated to protect them against the risk of severe illness should they get infected."
Omicron in Singapore: Omicron Variant More Likely to Infect Children
The Omicron variant is more likely to infect children as compared to the Delta variant, said the Health Minister of Singapore.
He noted how there is currently 0.3 per cent of patients, whether young or old, infected with the Omicron variant who need oxygen supplementation or care in the intensive care unit (ICU).
In the case of seniors, 1.8 per cent of those aged 60 and up who are infected with Omicron in Singapore required oxygen supplementation or ICU care. This varied depending on their vaccination status.
Mr Ong emphasised that vaccines and booster shots continue to make a significant difference to the clinical outcomes of infected individuals.
With seniors who have taken their booster, the figure drops to 1 per cent or less. The minister said this rises to around 4 per cent for those fully vaccinated with no booster. But for those who are fully vaccinated, the rate of such illness is about 10 per cent.
If a senior above 60 years old is not fully vaccinated, they are ten times as likely to fall severely sick when infected with Omicron. This is compared with a senior who has already taken the booster shot.
Mr Ong added, "And that is why vaccination and boosters, especially among seniors, continue to be our key priority."
Source: The Straits Times
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