Payam Javan: A renewed wave of COVID-19 is sweeping through China, with sentinel hospitals reporting a doubling of positive detection rates over the past month, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). From March 31 to May 4, 2025, outpatient and emergency cases surged from 7.5% to 16.2%, while severe hospitalized cases rose from 3.3% to 6.3%. Social media platforms trended with discussions on May 16 as citizens shared experiences of infections, including severe symptoms like respiratory issues and fevers, with some cases spreading rapidly within families. The China CDC noted that respiratory samples, particularly from those over 14, tested positive for COVID-19 at higher rates than other diseases, though detailed epidemic data remains limited amid accusations of underreporting by authorities.

The resurgence extends beyond China, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand also reporting spikes in cases. In Hong Kong, positive respiratory samples reached 13.7% from May 4-10, 2025, with 31 severe cases and deaths marking a yearly high. Singapore saw a 28% case increase, reporting 14,200 infections in early May, while Thailand recorded 16,607 cases and six deaths in the same period, driven by post-Songkran festival crowds. Authorities across the region urge heightened hygiene and mask-wearing, particularly for high-risk groups, as current variants show no increased severity but continue to drive community transmission. In China, residents like Zhang Yue from Shandong describe persistent symptoms and skepticism about official reporting, with some rural doctors labeling cases as “colds” despite familiar COVID-19 symptoms.