Overview

• Singapore's weekly COVID-19 cases rose by 28% to 14,200, with hospitalisations increasing by 30%, driven by the JN.1 subvariant and its descendants.
• Hong Kong recorded its highest severe case count in a year, with 31 severe cases reported in a single week, and authorities describing virus activity as 'quite high.'
• China's COVID-19 test positivity rates more than doubled in recent weeks, reflecting a significant uptick in infections.
• Thailand reported over 33,000 cases in the week ending May 17, linked to the Songkran festival and the spread of JN.1-related variants.
• India reported 257 active COVID-19 cases as of May 19, all mild, with no hospitalisations, as health authorities reaffirmed that the situation remains under control.