Hong Kong and Singapore are grappling with a fresh wave of COVID infections as the cases climb sharply, as per the latest reports. The spike is being attributed to waning immunity from infections as newer variants of Omicron JN.1 are spreading fast, increasing hospitalizations.
Infection rates in Hong Kong have seen a sharp surge from 1.7 per cent in mid-March to 11.4 per cent now, and have exceeded the peak registered in August 2024, according to the data released by the Centre for Health Protection.
Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Centre for Health Protection, said Covid activity in Hong Kong is currently “quite high”. A Bloomberg report has said the samples testing positive for the virus have also reached its highest level this year.
According to official data, serious cases, including deaths due to COVID, also rose to 31 in the week that ended on May 3, the highest level in about a year.
Although this spike in COVID cases in Hong Kong, which houses some seven million people, is not as high as the last two years, some factors point to the virus spreading rapidly. These factors include the rise in the viral load found in sewage water and the increased number of people seeking medical consultations and hospitalisations due to Covid, said the report.
As for Singapore, its first Covid infection update has been posted in about a year. A rise of 28 per cent has been registered with cases touching 14,200 for the week ending May 3, compared to the previous week.
Daily hospitalisations in Singapore are also in rise. The health ministry however has said there is no sign that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previous variants.
Latest symptoms circulating in Singapore and Hong Kong
In Singapore, cases of Covid variants LF.7 and NB.1.8 - offshoots of JN.1 strain are rising.
Here are some signs and symptoms of the latest strain to watch out for as per an expert:
Cough and sore throat
"The symptom profile associated with these emerging strains has evolved, presenting both familiar and novel manifestations. Common symptoms continue to include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches," says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
Sore throat
Dr Tayal says there has been an increased prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and persistent sore throats, often resembling common cold or allergy symptoms.
Nausea and vomiting
Elaborating the gastrointestinal symptoms of the latest strain, the expert says it includes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Brain fog
Dr Tayal says some patients are reporting neurological symptoms like headaches and cognitive disturbances, commonly referred to as "brain fog."
Notably, while the loss of taste or smell was a hallmark of earlier Covid-19 strains, its occurrence has diminished with these newer variants.
Conjunctivitis
In pediatric populations, particularly infants, unique symptoms such as non-purulent conjunctivitis (eye irritation) have been documented, underscoring the need for vigilance across all age groups, says the expert.
"Despite the increased transmissibility of these variants, the severity of illness generally remains lower compared to earlier strains, especially among vaccinated individuals. Nonetheless, the potential for severe outcomes persists, particularly in vulnerable populations," says Dr Tayal.
Health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination, adherence to hygiene practices, and timely medical consultation upon symptom onset to mitigate the impact of these emerging variants.
Follow Us On Social Media