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14-04-2023, 05:46 PM
The Health Ministry is continuing to do genetic sequencing of viral samples. There are now multiple variants circulating – XBB, XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9, XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, BN.1, CH.1.1 – without a clear dominant strain.
The most important aspect of any infection wave is the severity of symptoms and whether patients become hospitalised. There has been no evidence showing that any of the current XBB strains cause more severe illnesses, Mr Ong said.
He added: “What is happening is a clear demonstration of how far we have come. Even during a Covid-19 infection wave like now, we continue to live life normally, not pre-occupied over infection numbers, and not constantly talking about it. This is what endemicity should look like.”
In other words, instead of using the word endemic to describe the govt's stance, the right word he should use is "Bochap".
The most important aspect of any infection wave is the severity of symptoms and whether patients become hospitalised. There has been no evidence showing that any of the current XBB strains cause more severe illnesses, Mr Ong said.
He added: “What is happening is a clear demonstration of how far we have come. Even during a Covid-19 infection wave like now, we continue to live life normally, not pre-occupied over infection numbers, and not constantly talking about it. This is what endemicity should look like.”
In other words, instead of using the word endemic to describe the govt's stance, the right word he should use is "Bochap".
