Singapore (The Straits Times / Asia News Network): All seniors aged 60 or over, and with whom they live, are strongly urged to stay home as Singapore’s Covid-19 situation stabilizes, especially if they have not been vaccinated.

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) said in a statement on Thursday (September 30), the recent surge in Covid-19 cases has seen more elderly people develop severe symptoms when infected.

“The elderly are at greater risk of developing serious health complications if they contract the Covid-19 virus, and they should take additional precautions to protect themselves,” she added.

To reduce the risk of infection, the agency reminded seniors to go out only for essential activities and avoid crowded places. She added that in the next four weeks they should reduce group activities and social gatherings.

The agency also encouraged seniors to reduce mask-wearing activities such as eating at hawker centers, and to choose to eat instead.

“The elderly should wear a surgical-grade mask properly at all times and maintain good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing.

“To reduce their exposure to other infections, we also urge older adults to visit hospitals only if necessary,” the AIC said.

If they have Covid-19 and have mild or no symptoms, the elderly do not need to go to the hospital. The AIC advised that they should self-isolate at home.

“More than a quarter of domestic cases in the past two weeks are aged 60 and over,” she said.

“As of May 2021, there were 257 unvaccinated seniors who were severely affected by Covid-19 and were in the intensive care unit, required oxygen supplementation or died.”

He encourages unvaccinated older adults to get their vaccinations as soon as possible because the risk of an unvaccinated person developing severe disease is nearly seven times higher. Older adults who have been vaccinated are urged to take their booster doses.

“They would greatly benefit from this additional protection to mitigate weakened immunity and help reduce the potential for serious illness if infected,” the AIC said.

“This will put them in a good position to pass on to endemic Covid-19.”

The agency added that its outreach arm, the Silver Generation Office (SGO), is providing support to help seniors get vaccinated.

It can help them make online vaccination reservations and arrange for elderly people with mobility issues to be taken to vaccination centres.

“For older people requesting home vaccination, the AIC is working with relevant agencies to arrange for a qualified elderly person to be vaccinated at home.”

Seniors who need support getting a vaccination can call the AIC hotline at 1800-650-6060 or the nearest SGO office.