The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday assured the public that there is no cause for alarm following reports of a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in parts of Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong.
In a statement, the DOH said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains in active coordination with regional partners through mechanisms like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “This gives us verified information, boosting readiness even as we see no cause for alarm,” the department noted.
Singapore recently reported a rise in weekly COVID-19 cases, with an estimated 14,000 infections in the week ending May 3, up from 11,100 the previous week. However, its Ministry of Health clarified that the circulating variants do not appear to be more transmissible or severe.
Hong Kong, on the other hand, reported a one-year high in COVID-19 surveillance indicators, likely due to changes in the dominant virus strains and a drop in community immunity. While total case numbers were not disclosed, authorities confirmed 81 severe cases and 30 COVID-related deaths among adults in the past four weeks.
Despite the uptick in neighboring countries, the Philippines continues to report low numbers. As of May 3, 2025, the country has logged only 1,774 COVID-19 cases this year—an 87 percent drop from 14,074 during the same period in 2024. The case fatality rate remains low at 1.13 percent.
Recent local trends also show a slight decline in new cases. From March 23 to April 5, there were 71 reported cases, which decreased to 65 between April 6 and 19.
The DOH said it will continue to provide timely updates as needed and reminded the public to maintain basic health protocols, such as wearing masks in healthcare settings, staying home when sick, practicing respiratory hygiene, and seeking early medical consultation.
