187 new Omicron cases reported in Singapore on Jan 3, including 4 locally transmitted

There were 187 new Omicron cases, including 4 locally transmitted cases, reported on Monday (Jan 3), said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

In total, there were 464 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. Of the new infections, 177 were from the community and 99 of those infected were aged between 12 and 39.

Omicron cases currently make up around 17 per cent of local COVID-19 infections, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Monday.

Mr Ong pointed out that Omicron cases “have started to creep up”, which means that an Omicron wave is “imminent”.

“We need to be prepared for it,” he said. “Vaccination and boosters remain the key response.”

No deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Monday for the second day in a row. The national death toll remains at 829.

There were 364 cases discharged from the hospital over the past day, while 183 cases remain warded in hospitals. Of these, 21 cases require oxygen supplementation and 17 cases remain in the Intensive Care Unit.

In the last 28 days, 8,434 cases have been recorded, of which 98.7 per cent had no or mild symptoms and 0.8 per cent have required oxygen supplementation.

As of Jan 2, 91 per cent of the eligible population, 87 per cent of total population, are fully vaccinated, 88 per cent have received at least one dose and 42 per cent have received boosters.