COVID-19 makes a comeback in Asia

Over the past few weeks, several Asian countries—including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China—have reported a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases. 

India has also reported 257 active Covid-19 cases as of now, with officials maintaining that the majority are mild and not linked to severe illness or deaths. 

The Health Ministry, according to PTI, is closely monitoring the situation and has increased surveillance and preparedness.

"As per the preliminary information available, the cases are mostly mild, not associated with unusual severity or mortality,” a health official stated.

In Singapore, Covid-19 cases jumped from 11,100 to 14,200 during the week of April 27 to May 3, 2025. Hospitalisations also rose slightly, though ICU admissions dropped. 

The country's health ministry noted that hospitals are still capable of handling the increase.

Health authorities in Singapore point to waning immunity, the emergence of new variants (LF.7 and NB.1.8), and increased travel and social interaction. 

These variants are offshoots of the JN.1 strain that circulated widely in 2024 and is also the basis of the current Covid-19 vaccine.

Thailand recorded over 33,000 cases between May 11 and 17, with Bangkok accounting for at least 6,000 of them.

Thailand attributes its case spike partly to the Songkran holiday (April 13–15), during which increased gatherings likely contributed to transmission. 

Hong Kong also witnessed a significant jump in positivity rates, rising from 6.21% to 13.66% between April 6 and April 12.

Health officials say Covid-19 has become an endemic illness with periodic surges every six to nine months, linked to changes in dominant strains and decreasing herd immunity.

China reported an uptick in Covid-positive patients with flu-like symptoms between March 31 and May 4. Positivity rates among outpatients increased from 7.5% to 16.2%, while hospitalised patient rates climbed from 3.3% to 6.3%.

Several factors are believed to be behind the surge in cases. 

Additionally, a large portion of the population in several countries has not received a booster shot in over a year, reducing protection against newer variants.

Source: India Today