COVID-19 Cases Rise Again in Southeast Asia: How Serious Is New Wave?

Authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have reported a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases, signalling the start of a new wave of infections in Southeast Asia, according to Bloomberg.

Experts attribute the increase not to a more dangerous variant, but to declining population immunity.

In Hong Kong, the COVID-19 test positivity rate rose from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4% — higher than the peak recorded in August 2024. The Centre for Health Protection described current virus activity as relatively high. Albert Au, head of the centre’s infectious diseases division, said the current positivity rate is the highest in the past year.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health released its first detailed COVID-19 report in a year, noting a 28% increase in weekly cases as of May 3, with an estimated 14,200 new infections. Hospital admissions also rose by 30%.

Officials stress that the currently circulating variants are not more transmissible or severe than previous ones. The strains LF.7 and NB.1.8 — both descendants of the JN.1 variant — account for more than two-thirds of all sequenced cases in Singapore.

Following a revised COVID-19 response strategy, Singapore now publishes detailed statistics only when there is a sharp rise in cases.

Health experts say the renewed spread is largely due to weakened population immunity, partly linked to fewer booster vaccinations.

Other countries in the region are also reporting spikes. In China, infection levels are nearing the summer peak of last year, while Thailand is seeing new clusters following the Songkran festival in April.

Governments continue to monitor the situation, with a focus on vaccination, boosters, and healthcare system preparedness.

Kursiv Uzbekistan previously reported that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus estimated the global COVID-19 death toll could be as high as 20 mln.