Covid Cases Spike In Hong Kong, Singapore As New Wave Spreads

Just as the world tries to re-adjust with post-pandemic reality, there is an alarming situation for Asia as it has been hit by a new wave of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand. Regional health authorities are ramping up their response as hospitalization and infection numbers rise again — a grim reminder the virus is far from gone.

In Hong Kong, the situation is becoming more and more alarming. As per Albert Au, director of the city’s Center for Health Protection’s Communicable Disease Branch, Covid-19 activity is presently “quite high.” The area has witnessed a sharp surge in severe cases, including deaths, with 31 deaths reported in the week ended May 3 — the highest toll in nearly one year. Popular Hong Kong crooner Eason Chan was among the recent victims, whose concert in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was canceled after he tested positive for the virus.

Singapore is also seeing a keen spike in COVID-19 cases. The Ministry of Health reported that infections increased by 28%, with estimated cases rising to 14,200 in the week ended May 3. Hospital admissions experienced an estimated 30% hike. Despite the health ministry announcing that there is “no sign that the variant being circulated now is more infectious or severe compared to previous waves,” the administration is still playing safe and sent out warnings to the public as well as to hospitals.