11 COVID-19 Cases Today (16 Mar); All Are Imported Cases

Today is the fourth straight day without a community case.

As of 12pm today (16 March), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has preliminarily confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 infection.

All of them are imported cases.

This brings the total number of cases in Singapore to 60,128.

Based on yesterday’s figures, the number of new cases in the community has decreased from 4 cases in the week before to 2 cases in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased from 3 cases in the week before to 2 cases in the past week.

MOH Relaxes COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines; Some People With Allergies Can Now be Vaccinated

MOH has updated its guidelines, specifically citing the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines (aka what we have in stock—the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines).

As MOH had previously stated, only those with a history of anaphylaxis—a type of life-threatening allergic reaction—cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It has two of the following three criteria:

• Hives or swelling in the face, eyelids, lips or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness.

According to MOH’s website, those with a history of having been prescribed an EpiPen suggests an anaphylaxis risk and such persons should not receive the vaccine at this time.

In addition, those who have experienced allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or any other type of vaccines should also not be vaccinated. The latter should consult with specialists to evaluate their suitability.

MOH also said that persons with a history of these severe drug reactions should not be vaccinated either:

• Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome (SJS)
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
• Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
• Drug-induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DiHS)

The other two conditions that prevent people from taking the vaccine still stand:

• Those with severely weakened immune system (e.g. recent organ transplant or HIV with CD4 count < 200)
• And those with a very low platelet count of lesser than 50,000

The ministry also elaborated on immunocompromised persons last Saturday, stating that they will be assessed by medical personnel at vaccination centres on their suitability to receive the vaccine. Such persons include those who had:

• A transplant within the past 3 months (solid organ or stem cell)
• Cancer chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy
• Aggressive immunotherapy (e.g. Rituximab) for non-cancer conditions
• HIV infection with CD4 < 200 cells/mL

Other Types of Allergies

Apart from those with anaphylaxis, people with atopy (such as eczema, allergic rhinitis or asthma) can be vaccinated.

Even those with a family history of anaphylaxis, but do not have it themselves, can also receive the mRNA-based vaccines.

As reported by CNA, MOH noted that it is “the severity of the allergy, and not the number of allergies that determines if a person can be vaccinated.”

“[E]merging local and international scientific evidence had shown individuals with NSAIDs-induced angioedema can be vaccinated with mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, as long as there are no other life-threatening signs and symptoms suggestive of anaphylaxis.”

Cancer Patients

Those with active cancer but are not on treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy can be vaccinated, according to MOH. More specifically, this refers to those who have not been on the above treatments for the past 3 months and have not planned for such treatment in the next 2 months.

Vaccinations can also be carried out on those on active cancer hormonal therapy, or who are in remission.

Other Concerns

MOH also advised those who have recovered from COVID-19 and have not completed their vaccination to take up a single dose in order to “further boost the immunity against COVID-19 in persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection.”

Recovered persons should consult their doctor on when to receive the vaccine and the ideal timing would be to wait at least 6 months after their infection.

Mothers who are breastfeeding can also be vaccinated but should take precaution by considering suspending breastfeeding for 5 to 7 days after receiving the vaccine.

Be sure to read MOH’s FAQ on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines if you have any more concerns about your condition.

113 Active Cases

There are currently 20 confirmed cases who are still in hospital. Of these, most are stable or improving, and none is in the intensive care unit.

93 are isolated and cared for at community facilities. These are those who have mild symptoms, or are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19.

30 have passed away from complications due to COVID-19 infection.

Featured Image: Rajaraman Arumugam / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)