Another Covid wave coming? Hong Kong and Singapore report sharp jump in cases as virus detected in sewage water

Health authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have issued alerts over a significant surge in Covid-19 infections, as a fresh wave sweeps through several regions in Asia.

Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, stated this week that Covid-19 activity in the city is currently "quite high." He noted that the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for the virus has recently hit its highest level in the past year.

The number of respiratory samples testing positive for Covid-19 recently reached its highest point in the past year. Severe cases and fatalities also peaked, with 31 serious cases reported in the week leading up to May 3. Although this current surge isn't as large as the major outbreaks seen over the last two years, other signs indicate ongoing virus transmission. Increased traces of COVID-19 have been found in sewage, and more individuals are visiting hospitals and clinics with Covid-like symptoms.


Singapore, another densely populated Asian city, is also seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases. In its first update in nearly a year, the country's health ministry reported in May that Covid infections rose by 28%, reaching approximately 14,200 cases in the week ending May 3 compared to the previous week. Hospital admissions related to Covid also climbed by about 30%.

Singapore releases case numbers only when there is a clear increase. The health ministry suggested that the recent surge might be due to waning immunity within the population, but noted there is no evidence that new variants are more transmissible or cause more severe illness.

Across Asia, Covid-19 infections have been on the rise for several months, with recurring waves appearing periodically. Health officials are urging the public to stay up to date with vaccinations, especially those at higher risk who are advised to get booster doses. The current spike in cases during the summer, a time when most viruses usually wane, highlights that Covid-19 remains highly transmissible even in warmer months.