Covid cases rise in Singapore, Hong Kong as new wave spreads in Asia. Should you be worried? – Firstpost

Is Covid making a comeback in Asia?

Covid cases are rising again in parts of Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong and Singapore reporting a sudden increase.

This seems to be part of a fresh wave spreading through several regions in Asia, Bloomberg said in a report.

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China and Thailand are also seeing a jump in cases. China is approaching the levels seen during last summer’s peak, while Thailand is dealing with infection clusters, especially after the Songkran festival held in April.

In this explainer, we look at which countries are reporting more cases, why the numbers are rising, what the authorities are saying, and whether there is any reason to worry.

Let’s find out:

What’s happening in Hong Kong?

Health officials in Hong Kong have reported a clear rise in Covid cases, indicating the start of a new wave.

The infection rate has gone up from 1.7 per cent in mid-March to 11.4 per cent, now higher than the peak seen in August 2024, according to figures from the Centre for Health Protection on Tuesday.

In the past four weeks, there have been 30 deaths among 81 serious adult cases, South China Morning Post reported.

Albert Au, who leads the Communicable Disease Branch at the city’s Centre for Health Protection, told local media this week that Covid activity in Hong Kong is currently “quite high”.

The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for Covid is now at its highest level in a year.

The Centre’s investigation found that 83 per cent of the severe cases were in people aged 65 and older, and over 90 per cent of them had existing health issues.

While this current rise has not yet reached the high levels seen in the last two years, other signs, such as increased viral load in sewage, more medical consultations, and hospitalisations, suggest the virus is spreading in the city of over seven million, Bloomberg reported.

Hong Kong singer Eason Chan cancelled his concerts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, which were scheduled for later this week, after testing positive for Covid-19, according to a post on the concert’s official Weibo page.

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What’s going on in Singapore?

Singapore, another key financial hub, is also seeing a rise in Covid cases.

The health ministry released its first update on infections in nearly a year after cases jumped by 28 per cent to 14,200 in the week ending May 3, compared to the previous week. Daily hospitalisations have also gone up by around 30 per cent.

The health ministry and the Communicable Diseases Agency have said they are keeping a close watch on the growing number of cases.

Despite the rise in hospital admissions, the ministry said in a statement that “there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants”.

Singapore now only issues updates on case numbers when there is a clear spike.

The ministry believes the increase in cases is likely due to falling immunity, rather than any change in the severity or spread of the virus.

The main variants in Singapore at the moment are LF.7 and NB.1.8 – both linked to the JN.1 strain. Together, they account for over two-thirds of all sequenced local cases, according to health officials.

Which other Asian countries are seeing rise in Covid cases?

Covid cases have been rising across Asia in recent months, with new waves of the now-endemic virus appearing from time to time. The surge in two of the region’s major cities appears to be part of this broader trend.

Health authorities in several countries are urging people to keep their vaccinations up to date, especially those at higher risk, and to consider getting booster doses.

In China, Covid cases are rising and could soon reach the levels seen during last year’s summer wave, based on data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between late March and early May, the positivity rate for Covid tests more than doubled among patients seeking a diagnosis at hospitals across the country.

Thailand is also reporting a rise. The Department of Disease Control said the country has seen two cluster outbreaks this year, with infections climbing after the Songkran festival in April, which draws large gatherings.

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Why are cases rising? Should you be worried?

A report by Channel News Asia, citing doctors, points out that falling immunity could be a major reason behind the increase in cases, especially in Singapore.

Fewer people are coming forward for booster doses, and that may be making more people vulnerable to infection.

Dr Lim Kim Show, medical director at Life Family Clinic, told the media outlet that most Covid patients visiting his clinic had not received any vaccine in the last one to two years.

Singapore’s health ministry has said that while population immunity may be weakening, there is no sign that the current variants are spreading faster or causing more serious illness compared to those seen earlier during the pandemic.

So, should you be concerned? It doesn’t seem so, for now.

Doctors in Singapore are treating the current wave like a common flu outbreak. According to the CNA report, most people are recovering quickly and without complications.

Still, those in high-risk groups have been advised to take extra care. Singapore’s health authorities recommend that vulnerable individuals get an additional vaccine dose around a year after their last shot.

Other simple steps, like regular handwashing, avoiding travel when feeling unwell, and wearing a mask in crowded places, are also advised for people at greater risk, especially in areas seeing a rise in cases.

With inputs from agencies