'84% Vaccinated' Singapore Warns "Up to 2,000 Could Die from COVID Annually"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In Singapore, which has declared 'With Corona,' it is projected that the annual death toll from COVID-19 will reach 2,000.

Local media such as the daily The Straits Times and CNA broadcast reported on the 2nd, citing Senior Minister of Health Janil Puthucheary's parliamentary remarks from the previous day. This is about half the number of deaths caused by influenza and pneumonia.

Senior Minister Puthucheary said, "Currently, Singapore's COVID-19 fatality rate is about 0.2%, one of the lowest levels worldwide," adding, "A fatality rate of 0.2% is comparable to that of pneumonia."

He continued, "Despite the best possible medical measures, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 will increase, and we may see about 2,000 deaths annually," noting, "Most of the deceased will be elderly and those who were already in poor health."

Singapore, leveraging its high vaccination rate, has been implementing the so-called 'With Corona' policy since August, focusing on managing severe cases rather than zero confirmed cases.

Senior Minister Puthucheary emphasized, "Singapore has maintained a very low number of COVID-19 deaths," and "About 99% of confirmed cases are asymptomatic or mild due to the high vaccination rate."

He added, "Nearly 95% of those who died from COVID-19 in the past six months were elderly aged 60 or above, and 72% of the deceased were not fully vaccinated."

Singapore, with a population of 5.45 million, had a vaccination completion rate of 84% as of the 31st of last month, one of the highest in the world, and 16% have received booster shots. The previous day, there were 2,470 new confirmed cases and 14 deaths.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.