In a concerning development, there has been a significant surge in the number of cases of Covid-19 across Southeast Asia’s biggest cities, Hong Kong and Singapore. Warning has been issued by health officials in Hong Kong and Singapore about a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases as a new wave spreads across parts of Asia.
Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong “Quite High”
Albert Au, the head of the Communicable Disease Branch at Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, told local media that Covid-19 activity in the city is now “quite high”. The number of respiratory samples that proved positive for Covid-19 was at its peak since last year. Severe cases and death count reached their peak level, with 31 severe cases noted in the week up to May 3.
While the current surge hasn’t yet reached the peak levels which were seen in the past two years, growing viral loads in sewage, alongside a rise in Covid-related doctor visits and hospital admissions, indicate active community transmission in Hong Kong, which has over 7 million residents.
As a preventive measure, authorities have urged people to get their vaccination boosters, especially for the children and the elderly who are more vulnerable.
Covid-19 alert in Singapore and Thailand
Singapore is also on Covid alert. Singapore’s health ministry released its first update on infection numbers in almost a year this month. The estimated number of cases jumped 28% to 14,200 in the first week of May as compared to the previous seven days while daily hospitalisation rose around 30%.
Even in Thailand, the health department has reported two cluster outbreaks this year, with cases rising after April’s annual Songkran festival, which witnesses a lot of crowd.
There have also been reports of waves of the now-endemic disease swelling periodically, with officials constantly urging people to keep their vaccinations updated, most specifically high-risk individuals like children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Why sudden surge in cases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 numbers spike mostly during the summer season, unlike other respiratory pathogens that tend to be more active during colder months. In case of Covid-19, the test positivity rates get more than double among patients who seek a diagnosis at hospitals.
Experts are of the opinion that declining immunity can be one of the reasons why there is a sudden surge in the number of cases.
