A new wave of COVID-19 is affecting several Asian countries, with cases rising sharply in places like Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and parts of China.
In Singapore, infections nearly doubled in early May, with the FLiRT subvariant now accounting for most cases and hospitalizations also increasing. Malaysia has seen a similar spike, especially after recent festive gatherings, prompting health experts to advise self-testing and caution in crowded places. Meanwhile, China is seeing a surge in respiratory infections among children, mainly from human metapneumovirus (HMPV), though officials say it’s unrelated to COVID-19.
The JN.1 variant, a subvariant of Omicron, is spreading across the region but is currently considered low-risk by the WHO.
In response, some countries are reintroducing preventive measures like mask-wearing and temperature checks, while authorities continue to urge vaccinations, especially for vulnerable populations.
