Singapore hospitals face longer emergency wait times as Covid-19 cases rise post-holiday
SINGAPORE, May 17 — Several hospitals in Singapore are experiencing longer waiting times at their emergency departments (EDs) this week due to a post-public holiday surge in demand, according to The Straits Times (ST).
In response to media queries, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday that acute hospitals often see higher attendance at their EDs during specific times of the year, with the current rise consistent with the usual post-holiday trend, ST reported.
Changi General Hospital (CGH) and Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) confirmed the increase in separate Facebook posts on May 14, attributing it to the post-holiday period. The Ministry assured that triage procedures remain in place to prioritise patients with critical conditions, ensuring urgent cases receive prompt attention.
MOH added that inpatient teams have been activated to start treatment for patients awaiting admission at the ED to prevent delays in care. In some cases, patients may be transferred to other hospitals for further treatment.
According to ST, hospitals also cited a rise in Covid-19 cases as contributing to the congestion. Between April 27 and May 3, Singapore recorded 14,200 Covid-19 cases, up from 11,100 the previous week. CGH highlighted that some seniors admitted for other medical conditions were later found to be Covid-19 positive.
SKH noted that while the increase aligns with typical post-holiday trends, most cases were unrelated to Covid-19.
The National University Health System (NUHS), which oversees several hospitals, told ST that the current surge is consistent with past post-holiday periods. It also said there were no unusual patterns of illnesses.
To address the high patient load, hospitals are triaging patients based on acuity and priority, with senior emergency physicians reviewing cases to ensure appropriate admissions. NUHS has redeployed and increased its manpower to support ED operations, according to ST.
MOH and hospitals have urged the public to visit the ED only for serious or life-threatening emergencies. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms, such as a cough or sore throat, are encouraged to seek care from general practitioners or polyclinics instead.
The ministry also noted the availability of the Mobile Inpatient Care at Home (MIC@Home) programme, where teams of medical professionals provide care at patients' homes via teleconsultations and home visits. Medically stable patients may also be transferred to community hospitals or transitional care facilities to alleviate bed shortages, ST reported.
In Malaysia on May 1, the government officially revoked the declaration that classified all states and federal territories as infected local areas — a move marking the country's shift away from emergency pandemic measures — more than five years after it was put in place.
However, Covid-19 has not been entirely eradicated, data in Malaysia showed a slight uptick in active cases, rising from 8,488 on April 30 to 8,609 by May 3.
For comparison, during a similar period last year — May 12 to 18, 2024 — Malaysia recorded 1,230 Covid-19 infections.
Experts attributed this year's rise to waning immunity, increased travel, and reduced testing, but say the situation in Malaysia remains under control and is not a cause for alarm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
SUPP Lambir to host health awareness carnival on June 15
SUPP Lambir organising committee members pose for a photo call, taken after a meeting session prior to the carnival. MIRI (June 7): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Lambir branch will host a health check awareness carnival on Sunday, June 15, at its premises located at Lot 563, Block 5, Lambir Land District, Jalan Tukau, from 8.30am to 1pm. Deputy Minister of Health Malaysia, Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni, is expected to officiate the event, which aims to raise public awareness on the importance of regular health screenings and provide health services to residents in Bakam, Tukau, and surrounding areas. The initiative is jointly supported by both private and public agencies, including the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia (LPPKN) through Klinik Nur Sejahtera, the Ministry of Health's Department of Dentistry, International Optical Co., Best Hearing Aid Centre Miri, and Amcal Pharmacy Sdn Bhd. LPPKN will provide free mammogram screenings and free hysterectomised cancer-specific genotype testing, in addition to basic health tests such as blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) at RM10; and Pap smear tests at RM45. 'Dental check-ups will be conducted by the Ministry of Health's Department of Dentistry, while International Optical Co. and Best Hearing Aid Centre will offer free visual examinations and hearing tests respectively,' said the organising committee in a statement. Amcal Pharmacy will also conduct free quantum resonance magnetic analytic for interested participants, it added. IN addition to health services, the carnival will feature a children's colouring contest, offering families a fun and educational experience. The contest will be divided into three categories – Kindergartens, Primary 1 to 3, and Primary 4 to 6, with door gifts for all participants. Due to limited participation slots, those interested in registering for the colouring contest are encouraged to contact Lim Lay Cheng on 016-872 5634 or Lee Pei Pei on 012-807 5843. Other attractions include a lucky draw, family photo booth sessions, singing and dancing activities, and public service information booths. These booths will offer details and assistance on programmes such as the Kenyalang Gold Card, Senior Citizen Health Benefits, PeKa B40, and Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS). health check awareness carnival Lukanisman Awang Sauni SUPP Lambir
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Girlfriend beaten, burned, filmed naked: Singaporean domestic abuser gets nearly eight years' jail, caning for vicious acts
SINGAPORE, June 6 — A 30-year-old man in Singapore was sentenced today to seven years, 11 months and 191 days in jail, with nine strokes of the cane, after pleading guilty to 10 charges related to violence against his girlfriend and other offences, The Straits Times reported. The charges included voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, wrongful confinement and drug offences. An additional 472 days were added to his sentence as the crimes were committed while he was under a remission order for earlier drug convictions. The man cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity. The abuse occurred at their shared Tampines flat between 2022 and early 2023. The couple have since separated. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan said the most serious assault took place in January 2023. The woman had wanted to leave the house to meet her godfather, but the man, suspicious and angry, dragged her into the bedroom and questioned if she was having an affair. 'He then hit her with a mop handle until she fell to the ground before making her strip naked and using her bra to tie her wrists together. He used her shorts to tie up her feet,' he reportedly told the court. He then pressed a saw to her thigh, injuring her, and took a video of her as she lay naked. He later struck her head and thighs with a wooden hammer. DPP Tan said she forgave him after the incident. In September 2022, the man tied her hands to the bed with a cable tie and poured gas lighter fluid on her after she received a call he suspected was from a male intern. 'He then held it with an open flame close to her chest, burning her,' said DPP Tan. Though the call wasn't from the intern, the woman admitted it was to avoid further harm. The man later released her and cooked for her. In June 2022, while in jail, the man also attacked a 62-year-old inmate who had asked for bread, punching and kneeing him until he fell unconscious. The inmate had to be resuscitated in hospital. DPP Tan said the fact that the man committed repeated offences within a domestic relationship was an aggravating factor: 'The victim said she had forgiven the accused, but that does not make what he did any less egregious.' Defence lawyer A. Revi Shanker said his client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the time and was 'possessive' and 'a bit jealous': 'The disorder contributed to his anger and the way he reacted, but what he did was not premeditated. He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions.' Under Singapore law, voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon can carry up to seven years' jail, fines and caning. Wrongful confinement can lead to up to three years' jail, fines, or both. *If you are experiencing domestic violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221 / 016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7).
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
From JB to jail: Singapore couple smuggled dogs across Causeway for S$1,000 a trip
SINGAPORE, June 6 — A married couple who smuggled dogs into Singapore from Malaysia in a bid to make quick profits have been sentenced to jail. The Straits Times reported yesterday that Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both 28, were each sentenced to three weeks' jail on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two charges under the Animals and Birds Act. Another two similar charges for each of them were taken into consideration. The pair had been ferrying animals across the Causeway without the required permits, standing to earn between S$900 (RM3,000) and S$1,000 per delivery. In court, District Judge Wong Li Tein stressed that such offences posed serious public health risks. According to court documents, the couple began their operations in late 2022 after spotting a demand for cheaper pets compared with those sold at licensed shops. They advertised animals from Malaysia on Telegram and other social media platforms. Initially acting as middlemen and earning between S$50 and S$100 per referral, they eventually began transporting the animals themselves after Malaysian sellers preferred to deal directly with them. Despite knowing that bringing animals across the border without a licence was illegal, the couple proceeded with the scheme, citing the high costs of permits. Their illegal activities came to light on February 2, 2023, when officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint discovered a Pomeranian and a dachshund hidden at the foot of the front passenger seat. Wong had tried to obscure them using her handbag. The dogs were reportedly in fair condition, though both had umbilical hernias. The dachshund also had a bloated belly, hair loss and dirty ears. Soon had picked up the dogs from a Johor Baru pet shop the day before. The Pomeranian was a gift for Wong, while the dachshund was to be delivered to a buyer, Tok Su Wen, 41. Tok, who knew the dog was being brought in illegally, had contacted the couple after seeing their ad on Telegram. She was fined S$7,000 in December 2024, the first time NParks prosecuted a buyer for abetting animal smuggling. In a previous statement, NParks said pet smuggling 'poses a threat to public health and also compromises animal welfare'. It urged potential pet owners to adopt from shelters or buy only from licensed sellers. NParks also warned that buyers who support illicit importation could face prosecution. Under the Animals and Birds Act, importing animals or birds without a licence can result in fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
