New Delhi: Hong Kong and Singapore are on high alert after health authorities raised alarms over a significant spike in cases of COVID-19 infections.
The resurgence of the disease which shook the world five-and-a-half years ago comes as waves of the now-endemic coronavirus continue to swell across the region, Bloomberg reported.
The virus’ activity in densely populated Hong Kong is currently “quite high,” according to Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the city’s Centre for Health Protection.
The virus is spreading alarmingly through the city of over 7 million residents, with the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for COVID-19 recently hitting a one-year high, according to the agency’s data.
Severe cases, including deaths, have also reached their highest level in about a year, with 31 fatalities reported in the week through May 3.
The spike hasn’t yet matched infection peaks of the last two years, but increased viral loads in sewage, along with a rise in COVID-related medical consultations and hospitalisations indicate widespread community transmission.
As for Singapore, another densely populated financial hub, the city-state’s health ministry reported a 28% week-on-week increase in infections. The number of positive cases reached 14,200 in the week through May 3. Daily hospitalisations have also jumped around 30%.
Singapore officials attributed the surge to factors like waning immunity, but clarified that current circulating variants don’t appear to be more transmissible or severe than those encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health officials have urged residents, especially high-risk individuals, to stay current on vaccinations and booster shots.
Surge in China, Thailand too
There has been a rise in infections in mainland China as well. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that COVID test positivity rates more than doubled over a five-week period ending May 4, suggesting the country may experience a summer wave similar to last year.
Thailand is also experiencing an uptick in cases, particularly after the Songkran festival in April. The Department of Disease Control has identified two cluster outbreaks this year, highlighting the potential for mass gatherings to fuel further spread.
