Demand for COVID-19 test kits surges amid infection wave in Singapore

COVID-19 ART test kits at a Guardian outlet at Star Vista on May 21, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Renee Kuek)
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, demand for test kits has jumped, with some shops running out of stock.
Healthcare and beauty retailer Watsons said there has been a surge of over 150 per cent in the demand for COVID-19 test kits in the past week.
"Our stores are well-stocked, and we've scheduled replenishment," it told CNA on Monday (May 20).
Singapore's largest supermarket chain FairPrice has similarly seen a near doubling in demand for antigen rapid test (ART) kits and masks in the past week.
When CNA visited several pharmacies on Tuesday, some did not have test kits available.
At a Watsons branch at Star Vista, for instance, a staff member said she was uncertain when stocks of ART kits would come in.
Both Watsons and FairPrice said they are working to ensure supplies.
"We continuously seek collaborations with partners to promptly address any further increases in demand. Our focus remains on providing essential support to our communities," said Watsons.
A FairPrice Group spokesperson said the company is collaborating with its suppliers to ensure an "ample and continuous supply" of essential items across all its stores.
“We prioritise our customers’ well-being and are dedicated to ensuring they have access to the products they need," the spokesperson added.
Singapore is experiencing a COVID-19 wave, with a recent doubling of cases week-on-week.
The estimated number of COVID-19 infections in the week of May 5 to 11 rose to 25,900 – a 90 per cent increase compared with the 13,700 cases in the week before that.
The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations also increased to about 250 from 181 the week before, said the Health Ministry on Saturday. The average daily cases in intensive care remained low at three cases compared to two cases in the previous week, it added.
Currently, two-thirds of Singapore’s cases are caused by the KP.1 and KP.2 strain of the virus.
The Health Ministry said on May 18 that there are no indications that KP.1 and KP.2 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants.
While studies have not been done on the effectiveness of current vaccines against newer variants, scientists say vaccination remains the best bet, especially against severe illness.
“We firmly believe that it (the vaccine) is still effective against preventing severe disease such as hospitalisation and death,” said Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases expert at Rophi Clinic in Singapore.
He also explained that COVID-19 test kits are able to detect the KP.1 and KP.2 variants.
"The COVID-19 test kit tests against the N protein. But the mutation of KP variants is mainly due to the spike protein," Dr Leong said.
"In fact, the N protein has been consistently stable with only minor mutations since the beginning."