Southeast Asia — A noticeable surge in COVID-19 cases is sweeping across parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore, raising concerns over a potential resurgence of the virus as summer approaches.
Hong Kong Enters New COVID Wave
Health authorities in Hong Kong have confirmed that the city is currently experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 infections. Recent data from the Centre for Health Protection revealed a sharp rise in positive test rates — increasing from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4% currently, surpassing the peak seen in August 2024.
Albert Au, head of the Infectious Disease Branch at the center, described the viral activity in the city as “very high”, stating that the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for COVID-19 has reached its highest level in a year, according to Bloomberg.
Singapore Reports 28% Spike in Cases
In Singapore, the Ministry of Health has released its first COVID-19 update in nearly a year, revealing a 28% rise in estimated infections. The number of weekly cases rose to 14,200 for the week ending May 3, up from the previous week.
The Ministry and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases emphasized that while the number of cases is climbing, there is no evidence of a new, more severe or faster-spreading variant. Instead, they attribute the increase to waning immunity among the population.
Hospital admissions related to COVID-19 also saw an increase of approximately 30%, though authorities insist the situation remains under control and not alarming at this stage.
Predominant Variants: LF.7 and NB.1.8
Health authorities in Singapore identified LF.7 and NB.1.8 — both subvariants of the JN.1 lineage — as the dominant strains currently circulating. These two variants account for more than two-thirds of the cases that have undergone genomic analysis.
It’s worth noting that Singapore had previously ceased regular updates on COVID-19 data, choosing instead to issue new figures only when significant spikes in infections are observed.
Regional Outlook
The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in major Asian hubs underscores the virus’s persistent presence and its potential to re-emerge in waves, particularly as immunity wanes and public health vigilance softens.
Health experts across the region are calling for renewed attention to booster vaccinations, improved surveillance systems, and proactive healthcare planning to prevent overwhelming healthcare systems in the event of further escalation.
While current assessments do not point to a crisis, the situation remains fluid, with authorities in both Hong Kong and Singapore urging the public to remain cautious and stay informed as the summer months unfold.
