Health officials in both Hong Kong and Singapore have raised concerns as Covid-19 cases climb amidst a resurgence across Asia.
Albert Au, from Hong Kong’s health protection center, mentioned that the virus’s activity is currently “very high.” The rate of respiratory samples positive for Covid has hit a peak not seen in the past year.
The week spanning from May 3rd to May 3rd saw severe cases, including fatalities, reaching their highest levels in about a year according to the health center’s statistics. While this resurgence isn’t at the levels seen during the peak infection periods over the past two years, increasing viral loads detected in sewage and a rise in COVID-related hospitalizations indicate active spread in densely populated areas.
Similarly, Singapore has issued an alert regarding Covid as well. For the first time in almost a year, the city’s health department provided updates on infection rates, reporting an increase of about 28% in the latest week, along with a roughly 30% rise in daily hospitalizations. Future updates will occur only during significant spikes in cases.
Factors such as waning immunity in the public may contribute to the uptick in cases, yet the Singapore Ministry of Health noted no evidence that current variants cause more severe illness than before.
The increase in cases within two major Asian cities coincides with a broader rise in Covid in the region over recent months, with health officials urging that vaccinations should be kept up to date, especially advising high-risk groups to get booster shots.
Interestingly, Covid’s resurgence, despite the onset of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, shows that the virus can still affect many individuals even in warmer weather, unlike typical respiratory viruses that flourish in cold months.
In another note, Hong Kong singer Eason Chan has tested positive for Covid and had a concert scheduled in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, this week, as per announcements on social media.
Data from China’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that China may reach its peak seen last summer. In the five weeks leading up to May 4, the positivity rate among patients at mainland hospitals has more than doubled.
Additionally, Thailand’s Disease Control Agency has reported two cluster outbreaks this year, particularly following the Songkran Festival celebrations in April.
