Omicron could become dominant Covid strain in Singapore in two months, says expert

Singapore, Jan 5 (PTI) highly contagious Omicron variant could become a dominant coronavirus strain in Singapore in next two months, completely replacing Delta variant, a senior infectious diseases expert has warned.

island-state has recorded 438 new Omicron cases on Tuesday, with weekly infection growth rate going above one for first time since v 12, Straits Times reported.

"If predictions are correct, we can expect high numbers with a mild disease, but we can't be sure of this yet," report quoted Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at National University Hospital's infectious diseases division, as saying on Tuesday.

Fisher said Singapore needs to retain its balancing act of keeping country safe while t stifling travel, social activities and ecomic activity unnecessarily. It is a constant challenge when re are unkwns appearing regularly.

Warning that highly contagious Omicron variant could completely replace Delta variant in next two months as dominant Covid-19 strain in Singapore, he said that number to focus on is that of serious cases rar than overall infection figures.

If too many people come down with severe illness, demand for hospital and intensive care unit beds will shoot up, and healthcare system will risk being overwhelmed, Fisher said.

On Monday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung warned that an Omicron wave is "imminent" and new variant accounts for 17 per cent of all coronavirus infections in country.

Singapore reported its first local case almost a month ago, when a staff member at Changi Airport tested positive for Omicron.

On Dec 21, Singapore reported its first suspected Omicron cluster, linked to a gym in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre in a suburb residential district.

This level of transmission is t surprising, given how quickly Omicron has replaced or variants around world, said Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert at National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

He said Singapore is likely to report a sharp rise in cases over next few weeks, although relatively low Omicron-linked hospitalisation and death rates in countries with a similar demographic profile have been reassuring.

" biggest concern for Singapore is that Omicron variant will introduce ar round of infections, even for people who were previously infected with Delta," said Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Even though most of Omicron infections are likely to be mild, some of those infected will still require hospital care, he said.

"But good news is that Singapore's Covid-19 restrictions, including its mask-wearing mandate and rules on social garings, will slow spre of Omicron here," Teo said.

Meanwhile, health ministry in its daily Covid update said that 842 new cases were reported as at on on Tuesday, taking total tally to 281,596. new cases include 502 imported infections and six in migrant worker dormitories.

Three more people died of complications linked to coronavirus, taking total number of fatalities to 832, it said. PTI GS SCY SCY