Ready for next wave: Public hospitals prepared to set aside more beds for Covid-19 patients, no plans to freeze leave

SINGAPORE — Public hospitals here are gearing up for the fifth wave of Covid-19, which is expected to hit Singapore as early as July, by setting aside enough manpower and beds for an influx of patients.

However, there are no plans yet to freeze leave for healthcare workers, as the hospitals said they are prepared to adapt their manpower needs to the situation.

This is corroborated by six public hospital staff members TODAY spoke to, who said that they have not been subjected to new leave protocols in preparation for the expected wave.

Infectious disease experts also said that there is no need to be extremely concerned about the upcoming wave as long as people are vaccinated and practise good hygiene.

On June 2, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that Singapore should prepare for another wave of Covid-19 cases in July or August, noting that South Africa is riding its fifth Covid-19 wave, driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

Vice-dean of research at Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health Alex Cook said that only two groups of people need to be highly concerned about the possible upcoming Covid-19 wave — those in the healthcare system and the vulnerable, such as the elderly and those who have not been vaccinated.