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SINGAPORE – Amid growing concerns about a new strain of the coronavirus emerging here, experts have said that the measures now in place, such as the use of masks and social distancing, are enough to combat its spread.
Two new strains of the disease have been discovered, in Great Britain and South Africa. The Malaysian Ministry of Health has also identified a new strain from samples taken in the state of Sabah.
Britain’s new B117 strain of Covid-19 is reportedly 70 percent more contagious, but has shown no signs of being more lethal or severe.
The first case of this strain was recorded here last Wednesday, in a 17-year-old Singaporean girl who had returned from Great Britain.
Professor Ooi Eng Eong from Duke-NUS School of Medicine said the current measures were sufficient even with the new strains.
“I do not think that it is necessary to take stricter measures. Even if the mutation increases the probability of spread, the modes of transmission remain the same. The control measures are tailored to the mode of transmission, not to the probability of spread,” he said . .
Infectious disease specialist Leong Hoe Nam agreed that current safety measures in Singapore were adequate against the new strains.
He said: “The virus has a weakness. It must infect by contact or drop. Block those two effectively and the virus becomes harmless.”
Noting the various strict methods in Singapore such as SafeEntry, masks, social distancing and swab testing, Dr. Leong said these should be viewed not as separate methods but as multiple layers of measures working together.
He added that airport staff must be vigilant and strict after the discovery of the new strains.
Since last Wednesday, all Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew members working on flights from London have had to wear N95 masks and protective coveralls amid mounting concerns about the new strain of the virus. Prior to this, the cabin crew wore goggles, gloves, and surgical masks on all flights.
Discussing how the new strains affected vaccination plans, Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, said it may now be important that more Singaporeans get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Speaking in a video interview with The Straits Times last Thursday, on his daily online talk show The Big Story, Professor Teo said: “This is the only way we can continue to ensure that the community as a whole is protected. “.
Instead of aiming for 80 percent of the population here to get vaccinated against Covid-19, “now we may be looking at 90 percent or even more,” he said.
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health said the vaccine would still protect against new strains of Covid-19.
“The risk of mutation for coronaviruses is much lower than for viruses like the flu. So far, the new strains have not mutated to the point that vaccines cannot protect against them.”
When asked if vaccination should be mandatory, Professor Ooi disagreed, saying that instead there should be “a clear dissemination of facts and information about vaccines and how they work, as well as a dialogue between health authorities and the Singapore population to address any concerns about Covid-19 vaccines and myths. “
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