COVID-19 has once again captured global attention. Over the past 10 weeks, COVID cases in Hong Kong have increased more than 30-fold weekly. However, this spike isn't confined to Hong Kong alone; around a 30% rise in cases has been reported within a week in Singapore. Reports from China and Thailand also show escalating COVID numbers.
Significant Rise in COVID Cases in Hong Kong
Hong Kong reported a total of 1,042 COVID-19 cases in the week ending May 10, 2025, up from 972 the previous week. At the beginning of March, weekly cases were only 33, indicating a continuous rise since then.
The most alarming issue is the steadily increasing positivity rate. On March 1, it was 0.31%. By April 5, it rose to 5.09%, reaching 13.66% in the week ending May 10.
Source: aajtak
The Hong Kong government has urged citizens to take personal and community hygiene seriously to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Even with a Booster, Another Vaccine Dose Might Be Necessary
In light of rising cases, the Hong Kong government has advised high-risk individuals, particularly those with pre-existing conditions or weaker immunity, to take another dose of the COVID vaccine at least six months after their last dose or infection, regardless of how many doses they have previously received.
Why Are COVID Cases Increasing in Other Asian Countries?
In Singapore, COVID-19 cases rose from 11,100 in the week ending April 27 to 14,200 in the week ending May 3, marking a 30% increase. The number of daily hospitalizations also climbed from an average of 102 to 133, according to the Singapore government.
The government attributes this surge to several reasons, such as waning vaccine-induced immunity over time. The predominant COVID variants currently spreading in Singapore are LF.7 and NB.1.8, successive generations of the JN.1 variant. Notably, the JN.1 variant was used in the production of the current COVID vaccines.
Thailand has also experienced a spike in COVID cases following recent holidays. This year, the country has recorded 71,067 cases and 19 deaths so far.
