Singapore has been hit with a new wave of COVID-19 as authorities have recorded more than 25,900 cases earlier this month, Newsweek reported.

This comes despite Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday advised the wearing of masks again.

“We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising,” said Ong. “So, I would say the wave should peak in the next two to four weeks, which means between mid- and end of June.”

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of May 5 to 11 rose to 25,900 cases, compared with 13,700 cases in the previous week. 

The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose to about 250 from 181 the week before while the average daily intensive care unit (ICU) cases remained low at three cases, compared with two cases in the previous week.

The MOH said that to protect hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been asked to reduce their non-urgent elective surgery cases.

Ong urged those who are at greatest risk of severe disease, including individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals.

He also advised residents of aged care facilities to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so in the last 12 months.

Ong said that if the number of COVID-19 cases doubles one time, Singapore will have 500 patients in its healthcare system, which is what the country can handle. 

However, if the number of cases doubles a second time, there will be 1,000 patients, and “that will be a considerable burden on the hospital system”, he pointed out.