Singapore faces new COVID-19 wave driven by XBB sub-variant

People wearing masks walk near Marine Bay in Singapore. (Photo: AFP)

Singapore (VNA) – The current wave of COVID-19infections in Singapore is being driven by the XBB sub-variant and is likely topeak at an average of 15,000 daily cases next month, a Singaporean official said.

In Singapore, XBB is nowthe predominant subvariant, accounting for 54% of local cases from October 3 to9, compared to 22% of the previous week. Singapore reported nearly 9,000 COVID-19infections on October 14.

Reinfections are alsocontributing to the wave, Singaporean Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told a press conferenceon October 15, adding that the wave will likely peak by around mid-November.

He said bringing back strictermask mandates or other safe management measures cannot be ruled out, and the ministry ismonitoring the XBB wave closely and the impact on the healthcare system to seeif some of these measures are necessary.

Meanwhile, seniors andimmuno-compromised people are advised to continue to wear masks in crowdedindoor settings.

First detected in August,XBB has been found in more than 17 countries, including Australia, Denmark,India and Japan./.

VNA