Key Points
- Hong Kong and Singapore report sharp rises in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations
- Hong Kong sees highest severe case numbers in a year; viral loads in sewage signal active spread
- Singapore’s weekly cases jump 28%, hospitalizations up 30%
- Resurgence comes despite summer weather, defying typical virus patterns
- China and Thailand also report rising cases and cluster outbreaks
New Delhi: Health authorities in two of Asia’s most densely populated financial centers-Hong Kong and Singapore-are raising urgent alarms as Covid-19 infections surge, signaling a fresh wave of the virus across the region.
Hong Kong: Severe Cases and Community Spread on the Rise
Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection reports that Covid-19 activity has reached a “quite high” level, with the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the virus now at its highest point in a year. According to Dr. Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch, severe cases-including deaths-have also climbed, with 31 fatalities reported in the week ending May 3, the most in about twelve months.
Additional indicators point to widespread community transmission. Viral loads detected in the city’s sewage have increased, and more residents are seeking medical consultations and hospitalizations for Covid-19 symptoms. Although the current surge hasn’t yet reached the peaks seen in the past two years, the upward trend is worrying for the city’s 7 million residents.
The impact of the outbreak is also being felt in the entertainment industry. Popular Hong Kong singer Eason Chan had to cancel his upcoming concerts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, after testing positive for Covid-19, as announced on the concert’s official Weibo account.
Singapore: Cases and Hospitalizations Surge
Singapore’s Ministry of Health issued its first infection update in nearly a year, revealing a significant 28% jump in estimated Covid-19 cases to 14,200 in the week ending May 3. Hospitalizations have also surged, rising by around 30% over the same period.
While officials suggest that waning immunity in the population may be a factor, Singapore’s health ministry emphasized that there is “no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible or cause more severe cases than during the pandemic.” Nonetheless, the rapid rise in cases has prompted heightened vigilance and public health messaging.
Why This Summer Resurgence Is Alarming
Typically, respiratory viruses see increased activity during colder months. However, this Covid-19 resurgence is occurring as the Northern Hemisphere enters summer, highlighting the virus’s ability to spread and cause illness regardless of temperature.
Wider Regional Impact: China and Thailand Also Affected
The uptick in cases is not limited to Hong Kong and Singapore. Data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that China is also experiencing a rise in cases, with the Covid test positivity rate among hospital patients more than doubling in the five weeks leading up to May 4. This suggests China could soon reach the summer peak seen last year.
In Thailand, the Department of Disease Control has reported two cluster outbreaks so far in 2025, with cases increasing after the country’s annual Songkran festival in April.
The latest Covid-19 surge across Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand is a stark reminder that the pandemic’s threat remains. Health authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and consider booster vaccinations, especially as the virus proves capable of spreading even in warmer months.
