WP MP Jamus Lim ends 2023 with slipped disc and COVID-19, quarantined through New Year

SINGAPORE: While the year-end period typically signifies “rest and relaxation (R&R)” for many Singaporeans, Asso Prof Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC, contracted COVID-19 during the Christmas period, leading to a quarantine that extended through New Year’s.

In a Facebook post on Saturday (6 Jan), Jamus Lim updated his supporters after nearly two weeks in COVID quarantine.

He originally intended to have a short staycation at Sentosa, intending to spend quality time with family and recharge without the need for travel.

“fate had something else planned, “‘ Asso Prof Lim remarked, as his intended plans for “rest and relaxation” unexpectedly transformed into a phase of ‘recovery and recuperation.’ ”

He revealed that a few days before Christmas, he experienced a slipped disc, causing him to throw out his back.

Adding to his challenges, he contracted COVID a few days later, which necessitated quarantine until the start of the new year.

Nevertheless, he managed to make the most of this time by catching up on pending tasks such as reviewing page proofs for a textbook, clearing email backlogs, and preparing for an upcoming Parliamentary sitting.

He emphasized the significance of taking a hiatus and resetting for the new year, noting that his body needed a break from its usual activities to reset for the upcoming year.

“It seemed like the body just needed to not be running around doing things, but instead just take a hiatus and reset for the year.”

Reflecting on the experience, he expressed that although it had been relatively quiet on his end, the break was much needed.

In his post, Asso Prof Jamus Lim shared that he has mostly returned to his usual routine, albeit with a more cautious approach to ease back into things.

He also shared about an activity conducted on Saturday evening, wherein, as an MP, he extended an invitation to residents to join a monthly run alongside Sungei Punggol.

In another post, he mentioned completing a six-and-a-half-kilometer run with fellow participants.

Apart from Asso Prof Jamus Lim, other politicians, such as Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, also earlier revealed that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

During December of the previous year, the COVID-19 surge reached its peak in the week spanning from 10 to 16th December, resulting in an estimated 58,300 reported cases.

Within that same week, hospital admissions numbered 965, with 32 individuals requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.

Towards the end of December, there was a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals and ICUs.

However, infection rates remained relatively high, reaching 21,200 cases.

In response to year-end COVID-19 case surge, MOH issued a public advisory on 15 December urging citizens to wear masks in crowded places, irrespective of their health status.

Emphasizing the importance of this precaution, especially indoors or around vulnerable individuals, they aim to curb the transmission of the virus within the community.