While Covid-19 is still a headache for many countries around the world, Singapore has emerged as a typical model in both epidemic prevention and treatment.
According to experts, the above results were achieved, in addition to drastic epidemic prevention and suppression measures, thanks to Singapore’s modern medical system with flexible and optimal treatment capabilities.
Doctors at the National Center for Infectious Diseases Singapore listen to the lungs of a Covid-19 patient in May 2020.
While countries around the world race to vaccinate their people in the hope of a `new normal` life after the pandemic, many medical experts and scientists are still diligently researching and exploring new solutions.
Several large-scale clinical trials are underway globally to evaluate and identify the most promising drugs that can be used to treat Covid-19 even when everyone is fully vaccinated.
Vaccination remains a priority for many countries in their efforts to control Covid-19 and reopen after the epidemic, but infectious disease experts believe that effective treatments will still be needed, especially for
`Treatment of Covid-19 is paramount because vaccines cannot cover 100%,` emphasized Dale Fisher, professor of infectious diseases at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS).
Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) has posted Covid-19 treatment guidelines, applicable to all hospitals across the country.
Dr. Raymond Fong, head of the infectious disease department at Changi General Hospital, said that after assessment, Covid-19 patients will be classified into 4 levels of severity, including asymptomatic (patients have no symptoms or no symptoms).
According to Dr. Shawn Vasoo from NCID, for patients in the first week of treatment but at risk of severe disease progression, the antiviral drug remdesivir can be used to speed up recovery.
If available, monoclonal antibodies are also recommended for treatment of Covid-19 patients in the early and non-severe stages but at high risk of deterioration.
For severe patients, corticosteroid medications such as dexamethasone will be used.
Other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as tocilizumab and baricitinib (used to treat rheumatoid arthritis), are often used in addition to corticosteroids.
These drugs aim to support the immune system by modulating its response to threats, according to Dr Fong from Changi General Hospital.
Drugs that the NCID does not recommend for Covid-19 patients include hydroxychloroquine, the HIV treatment lopinavir-ritonavir and the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.
Singapore last week granted temporary approval to the antibody drug sotrovimab, developed by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and immunobiology company Vir Biotechnology, to be used to treat Covid-19 patients aged 18 years and older.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health said the medicine will be available at healthcare facilities from September 2021, unless unforeseeable delays occur.
The drug is based on monoclonal antibodies, which are proteins created in the laboratory that mimic the immune system’s ability to block harmful antigens such as viruses.
Singapore is also considering another monoclonal antibody treatment from Regeneron Pharmaceutical, according to NCID.
