By Jheruleene Anne Ramos
The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to remain calm despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases across Asia, saying there is “no cause for alarm” as the situation in the Philippines remains under control.
DOH said that the Philippines has recorded a total of 1,774 COVID-19 cases so far as of May 3 2025, which was an 87 percent decrease from 14,074 cases in 2024.
Additionally, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has declined to 65 from 71 in the week of March 23 to April 5, 2025, reflecting a continued downward trajectory.
The health agency also said that the case fatality rate is only 1.13 percent, indicating a “slight decrease” in reported cases over the past three to four weeks.
Health authorities to monitor COVID-19 surge in SEA
While domestic cases remain low, the DOH said it is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation across the region, particularly in Southeast Asia.
“The Department of Health is actively monitoring COVID-19 trends including the recently reported increases in specific areas of Southeast Asia,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that it would continue cooperating with regional bodies such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to share credible data and aid in pandemic preparedness.
The agency also urged the public to continue basic preventive practices such as wearing face masks and maintaining proper hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
COVID-19 cases in Singapore and Thailand on the rise
The DOH statement came as Singapore and Thailand both reported surges in COVID-19 cases.
Singapore recorded a 28 percent rise in weekly COVID-19 cases to 14,200 by May 3, with hospitalizations up 30 percent, though the Health Ministry maintained that the situation remains manageable.
“While the increase in cases could be due to factors including waning population immunity, there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible – or cause more severe cases – than during the pandemic,” the ministry said, as quoted by the New Delhi Television Ltd.
Thailand also reported a sharp rise in infections, with cases climbing to 33,030 in the week ending May 17 – doubling from 16,000 the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control.
Most cases were reported in Bangkok (6,290), followed by Chon Buri (2,573), Rayong (1,680), and Nonthaburi (1,482), with the majority of infections occurring in people aged 30 to 39.
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China, Hong Kong, and India also report increases
Beyond Southeast Asia, COVID-19 cases are rising in China, where the positivity rate among outpatient and emergency patients with flu-like symptoms surged from 7.5 percent to 16 percent.
In Hong Kong, 31 severe COVID-19 cases were recorded in the week ending May 3 – the highest weekly total in the past year.
Meanwhile, India reported 257 active cases, though health officials said there is currently no sign of an outbreak.
Surge driven by JN.1 and other variants
Health authorities across the region have linked the uptick in cases to the JN.1 variant, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified as a “variant of interest”.
Its descendants such as new variants LF.7 and NB.1.8 also contributed to the surge of COVID-19, according to the Singaporean health authorities.
Other factors believed to be driving the surge include increased travel, large gatherings and waning immunity.
COVID-19 remains a threat
The resurgence of cases in several parts of Asia underscores that COVID-19 still poses a public health risk, especially when preventive measures are relaxed.
In response, several countries are bolstering public health communications and intensifying health campaigns to guarantee widespread vaccination to avoid further outbreaks in the future.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person, according to the WHO.
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