COVID-19 Cases Surge in Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand Report New Wave

COVID-19 cases are rising again in several Asian countries, indicating a new wave of infections.

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• Singapore: The country reported a 28% increase in cases, with 14,200 new infections in the week ending May 3. Hospitalizations have also risen by about 30%. Health officials attribute the surge to waning immunity rather than more severe virus variants. The main strains currently circulating are LF.7 and NB.1.8, both linked to the JN.1 variant.
• Hong Kong: The infection rate has climbed from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4%, surpassing the peak seen in August 2024. In the past four weeks, there have been 30 deaths among 81 serious adult cases, primarily affecting individuals aged 65 and older with existing health issues. Increased viral loads in sewage and higher hospitalizations suggest widespread transmission.
• China: The country is nearing infection levels observed during the previous summer’s peak.
• Thailand: Following the Songkran festival in April, the country is experiencing clusters of infections.

Health authorities across these regions are urging high-risk groups to exercise caution and are enhancing surveillance and public health measures to control the spread of the virus.