Number of Confirmed Cases More Than Double Compared to Previous Week
Resurgence Also Observed in Greater China, Including Hong Kong
KDCA: "No Unusual Trends in Korea... Monitoring Overseas Developments"
As COVID-19 cases are resurging in Greater China, it has been reported that the number of infections in Thailand has also surpassed 33,000. Some observers have noted that the surge in cases coincided with Songkran, the world's largest water festival, which may have contributed to the sharp increase in infections. However, South Korea's health authorities stated that there have been no unusual trends indicating a resurgence of COVID-19 in Korea.
According to the Bangkok Post on May 19 (local time), the Thai Department of Disease Control (DDC) announced the previous day that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 33,030 during the week of May 11 to 17, more than double the approximately 16,000 cases reported the previous week. Of last week's confirmed cases, 1,918 people required hospitalization, and 2 of them died. By region, Bangkok, the capital, reported the highest number of cases at 6,290, and by age group, those in their 30s accounted for the largest portion.
While Thailand's health authorities have stated that the situation is "under control," the medical community has expressed concerns. Teera Woratanarat, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, said, "The number of COVID-19 cases has been rising sharply for 11 consecutive weeks," and warned, "If this situation continues, the number of cases could double again next week, and this wave may persist for a prolonged period."
Some analysts have pointed to the April Songkran festival, Thailand's largest festival and holiday, as a catalyst for the renewed surge in cases. During Songkran, there is increased travel and large gatherings, and the world's largest water festival takes place. The Bangkok city government has strengthened quarantine measures and is working to secure vaccines and hospital beds. Authorities have also recommended that citizens wear masks and get tested immediately if they develop suspicious symptoms.
The COVID-19 resurgence is being observed not only in Thailand but also in Greater China, including Hong Kong. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and other sources on May 17, around 30 COVID-19-related deaths were reported in Hong Kong over the past month, and the positivity rate surged to 13.66%, the highest in the past year. The positivity rate has also increased in mainland China, while Singapore has seen a sharp rise in both confirmed cases and hospitalizations this month.
In contrast, South Korea's health authorities reported no unusual trends. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated on May 19, "There are no unusual trends related to a COVID-19 resurgence in Korea," dismissing such concerns. According to the KDCA's weekly domestic COVID-19 statistics, there were 146 hospitalized cases reported by 221 sample surveillance medical institutions during the 19th week of this year (May 4-10). This figure represents an increase from 115 the previous week, but the numbers have fluctuated over the past eight weeks: there were 102 cases in the 12th week, rising to 185 in the 15th week, then declining for three weeks before increasing again. However, the KDCA emphasized, "Given last year's COVID-19 trends, we cannot rule out the possibility of a summer wave this year. As cases are increasing in places such as Hong Kong, we will closely monitor both domestic and overseas trends."
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