A fresh wave of Covid-19 is sweeping across Asia, with Hong Kong and Singapore experiencing sharp increases in cases and hospitalisations in May 2025. Hong Kong’s infection rate has surged to its highest level in a year, while Singapore has reported a 28% rise in weekly cases and a 30% jump in hospital admissions.
Health authorities in both cities have sounded alarms, attributing the surge to waning immunity and urging high-risk groups to get booster shots. Similar trends are being observed in China and Thailand, raising concerns about the potential for wider regional spread.
Covid-19 Cases Surge: Officials Urge Vigilance and Vaccination
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection has reported that the proportion of positive Covid-19 samples from respiratory cases has climbed from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4% in early May, marking the highest rate in a year. In the week ending May 3, the city recorded 31 severe cases, with most patients aged 65 and above and suffering from underlying health conditions.
Tragically, several deaths have also been reported. “We are seeing a significant uptick in severe cases, particularly among the elderly,” said Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health, in its first Covid-19 update in nearly a year, confirmed that weekly cases jumped from 11,000 to 14,200 in the first week of May, while hospital admissions rose from 181 to 250.
The ministry reassured the public that there is no evidence of more infectious or severe variants, stating, “Most patients recover uneventfully at home, but the elderly and immunocompromised remain at higher risk.” Both Hong Kong and Singapore have urged eligible residents, especially seniors, to get their booster shots and to wear masks in crowded places.
Regional Trends and Public Health Response
The current surge is not isolated to Hong Kong and Singapore. In China, the positivity rate for Covid-19 tests has more than doubled over the past five weeks, approaching levels last seen during the summer 2023 wave.
Thailand has also reported increased cases, particularly following the Songkran festival in April, which saw large public gatherings. Health officials across the region are closely monitoring the situation, with some hospitals preparing for a potential influx of patients.
Experts suggest that the spike is largely due to waning immunity, as most people have not received booster shots in recent months. The current wave is notable for occurring during the summer, a period when respiratory viruses typically decline.
“This pattern shows that Covid-19 remains unpredictable and can surge even outside the traditional flu season,” said Professor David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The rise in cases has also disrupted public life, with Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan postponing concerts after testing positive, highlighting the ongoing impact of the virus on daily activities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The resurgence of Covid-19 across Asia is a stark reminder that the pandemic is not yet behind us. The Logical Indian believes that community vigilance, scientific transparency, and compassion for vulnerable groups are essential as we navigate this new wave.
We urge authorities to prioritise clear communication, equitable vaccine access, and support for those most at risk. As a society, let us continue to show empathy, responsibility, and unity in the face of ongoing health challenges. How can we, as a community, better support each other and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against Covid-19?
