Singapore is once again facing an uptick in COVID-19 cases, but health authorities are quick to reassure the public – particularly employers and business leaders – that the current wave is manageable.

While case numbers have risen, the healthcare system remains steady, and there is no sign that the circulating variants are more infectious or severe than their predecessors.

A predictable swell, not a tsunami

Between 27 April and 3 May, COVID-19 cases rose to an estimated 14,200, up from 11,100 the week prior. Hospital admissions climbed from 102 to 133 over the same period, but intensive care needs dropped slightly, from three to two cases on average per day.

In a joint update issued on 13 May, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) confirmed that hospitals are well within capacity.

“The hospitals are currently able to manage the increase in cases,” the statement noted.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung reiterated via Facebook that such fluctuations are to be expected:

The key thing is that our healthcare system is able to manage the increase in cases.

These waves, say authorities, are on par with how the flu or dengue moves through the population in seasonal patterns.

Variants in the mix

The primary strains currently circulating, LF.7 and NB.1.8, account for over two-thirds of all sequenced local cases. These are offshoots of the JN.1 variant, which underpins the latest formulations of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax, and Novavax vaccines.

So far, these strains haven’t shown signs of being more contagious or causing more severe illness than those previously in circulation.

Doctors on the ground echo this view. “For most of the patients … [the symptoms] still behave rather like a common flu,” said Dr Lim Kim Show, medical director of Life Family Clinic, as quoted by CNA. “Most of the patients recover quite fast.”

Still, the increased vulnerability among certain groups, particularly those who haven’t kept up with booster shots, remains a concern.

Read: Singapore tracking COVID case increase

Waning immunity a potential culprit

Although no single cause for the spike has been confirmed, experts believe waning immunity may be a contributing factor. Dr Lim observed that many of the COVID-19 patients visiting his Clementi West clinic hadn’t been vaccinated in one to two years.

“With the drop in the immunity … that may account for higher vulnerability to new [strains], especially those with higher risks,” he explained.

Dr Shawn Vasoo, executive director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, noted that hospitalised patients tend to be older and managing multiple chronic conditions – demographics historically more susceptible to severe illness.

Vaccination remains the first line of defence

To maintain herd immunity and mitigate the effects of future waves, the MOH and CDA are strongly encouraging booster vaccinations for those at higher risk of severe COVID-19. This includes individuals aged 60 and above, the medically vulnerable, and residents in aged care homes. They recommend an additional shot roughly one year after the last dose.

The same goes for healthcare workers and those in close contact with medically fragile individuals. All others, aged six months and older, remain eligible to receive the vaccine on a voluntary basis. These are currently available through Healthier SG general practitioner clinics and polyclinics.

Read: Malaysia on guard against new COVID cases

Return to basics: hygiene and vigilance

Public health advice also calls for a return to foundational precautions. It’s simple but effective: wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, wear masks when feeling under the weather, and avoid social gatherings or non-essential travel if unwell.

The familiar symptoms – runny nose, sore throat, headache, and fever – should prompt mask usage and self-testing. However, doctors say testing has fallen by the wayside. 

Healthcare professionals are urging the public to take a “better safe than sorry” approach – reintroducing self-test kits into household medicine cabinets and workplaces, especially during periods of increased transmission.

What this means for HR and business leaders

This resurgence is less about panic and more about preparedness. Think of it as a seasonal audit of your organisation’s health policies. Flexible sick leave, hybrid work arrangements, and access to testing and booster vaccines can go a long way in keeping teams safe and operations uninterrupted.

This is also a timely reminder to check in on workforce segments that may be more vulnerable – older employees, those with chronic conditions, or workers caring for high-risk family members. A robust occupational health strategy doesn’t just protect your people; it builds trust and resilience.

Business continuity through common sense

In short, this is not a re-run of the pandemic’s peak years. Rather, it’s the new rhythm of a post-pandemic world – an occasional cough in the system, not a crisis. As long as leaders keep a level head, communicate clearly, and lean on common sense, organisations can ride out these waves without missing a beat.

After all, as with any endemic challenge, it’s not about eliminating the risk but managing it smartly.