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COVID: Seniors over 60 'strongly urged' to stay home for 4 weeks – Eldercare agency

Elderly men look on in Singapore on June 19, 2020, as restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus are eased. - Restaurants, retail shops and most other businesses reopened in Singapore on June 19 as the virus-hit city-state eased curbs, but the city-state's leader cautioned residents
(Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Those aged 60 and above, as well as those living with them, have been "strongly urged" by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to continue staying home over the next four weeks to protect themselves, particularly if they are unvaccinated.

AIC, a government agency which focuses on eldercare, noted that more than a quarter of local COVID cases in the past two weeks were aged at least 60. It added that from May, there were 257 unvaccinated seniors who were severely affected by COVID-19 and were in intensive care unit, needed oxygen supplementation or died.

"Seniors are reminded to only go out for essential activities and avoid crowded places where possible. In the next four weeks, they should minimise group activities and social gatherings," said AIC, adding that they should minimise mask-off activities such as eating at hawker centres.

"To minimise their exposure to other infections, we also urge seniors to visit hospitals only if necessary. If infected with COVID-19, with mild or no symptoms, they need not rush to hospital but can self-isolate at home for their own well-being."

AIC also urged seniors to get their booster shots, in order to mitigate against waning immunity and help reduce likelihood of severe illness if infected.

Singapore reported 2,268 new COVID cases on Wednesday, with eight more deaths, bringing the total of fatalities in the pandemic here to 93. The recent surge in cases that began in August has claimed 38 lives this month, with the vast majority of them elderly and unvaccinated individuals.

Singapore is expected to hit 3,200 new cases in eight days' time as it enters the "fifth doubling cycle", said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung last Friday. Authorities are also planning for up to 5,000 cases a day.

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