The number of local cases in Singapore has been rising sharply over the past few weeks. The recent rise in Covid-19 cases has seen more seniors experiencing severe symptoms when infected, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) said in a statement on Thursday. “From May 2021, there were 257 unvaccinated seniors who were severely affected by Covid-19 and were in ICU, needed oxygen supplementation or died.”
“Seniors are at a higher risk of developing serious health complications if they are infected with Covid-19 and should take added precautions to protect themselves,” it said.
All seniors aged 60 and above, and those living with them are strongly urged to stay at home as the Covid-19 situation stabilises in Singapore, especially if they are unvaccinated. Hence to reduce their risk of being infected, the agency reminded seniors to go out only for essential activities and avoid crowded places. In the next four weeks, they should minimise group activities and social gatherings, it added.
The agency also encouraged seniors to minimise mask-off activities such as eating at hawker centres, and opt to take away food instead.
“Seniors should wear a surgical-grade mask properly at all times and maintain good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing.
“To minimise their exposure to other infections, we also urge seniors to visit hospitals only if necessary,” the AIC said.
If they are infected with Covid-19 and have mild or no symptoms, seniors need not rush to hospital. They should self-isolate at home, the AIC advised.
It said: “More than a quarter of the local cases in the past two weeks were aged 60 years and above.
