Another Covid Wave In Asia: Hospitalisations, Deaths At Highest In A Year In Multiple Countries

<p>A new wave of Covid-19 virus has surged in Asian countries including Hong Kong and Singapore with sharp spike in number of daily cases being reported.</p>
<p>Health authorities in both these densely-populated countries have warned of a resurgent wave spreading through Asia.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection alerted that the virus’ activity in the city is “quite high”, reported Bloomberg.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The percentage of respiratory samples testing Covid-positive in Hong Kong recently reached its highest in a year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Severe cases, including fatalities, have also reached its highest level in about a year to 31 in the week through May 3, according to the Centre’s data. While the resurgence has not matched infection peaks seen in the past two years but viral load found in sewage water and medical consultations and hospitalisations linked to the infection suggest the virus is spreading rapidly in the city with population of 7 million.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Singer Eason Chan tested Covid-positive after which his concerts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan originally scheduled for later this week were cancelled.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Singapore On Alert</h2>
<p>The city is also on Covid alert as the health ministry released its first update on infection numbers in almost a year this month. It has estimated the number of cases to increase 28 per cent to 14,200 in the week through May 3 from the previous seven days.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The city-state has also witnesses rise in daily hospitalisation to around 30 per cent. The country now only provides case updates when there is a noticeable spike.</p>
<p>According to Singapore’s health ministry, there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible or cause more severe cases – than during the pandemic. It attributed factors including waning population immunity for the increase in cases.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Thailand reported two cluster outbreaks this year, with cases rising after April’s annual Songkran festival, which sees huge crowds.&nbsp;</p>