Covid-19 Cases Surge Again in Hong Kong and Singapore as new wave hit parts of Asia

 

Health authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have issued fresh warnings as a renewed wave of Covid-19 sweeps across parts of Asia, leading to noticeable spikes in infections in both densely populated cities.

In Hong Kong, officials say the level of Covid activity has risen sharply. Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the city’s Center for Health Protection, said this week that the virus is currently “quite active.” The proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for Covid-19 has reached its highest point in a year, highlighting the scale of the resurgence.

Severe cases, including fatalities, have also climbed to their highest level in approximately a year, with 31 recorded in the week ending May 3, according to official data. Although the overall number of infections remains below the peaks experienced in recent years, the increased viral load detected in sewage, along with a rise in medical consultations and hospitalizations related to Covid-19, indicates widespread transmission in the city of over 7 million residents.

In neighboring Singapore, health authorities are also on heightened alert. The Ministry of Health issued its first Covid update in nearly a year, reporting a 28% jump in estimated cases to 14,200 for the week ending May 3 compared to the previous week. Hospitalizations also rose by about 30%. The ministry now provides updates only when there is a significant uptick in cases.

While the increase may be partly attributed to waning immunity among the population, Singapore’s health ministry noted that there is no evidence that the current circulating variants are more infectious or severe than those seen during the height of the pandemic.