COVID-19 cases spike in Asia after Lunar New Year

Roughly a week after Lunar New Year celebrations, multiple Asian countries have reported spiking COVID-19 case numbers.

The uptick in infections comes despite many countries imposing pandemic-related restrictions on celebrations for the holiday, which was celebrated on Feb. 1. 

Japan reported 90,000 coronavirus cases on Sunday, including more than 17,500 in Tokyo alone. Indonesia reported 36,057 daily cases on Sunday, up from 533 a month ago, according to The Associated Press. 

In Hong Kong, where all COVID-19 cases are required to be hospitalized, the city reported a new high of 614, the AP reported. 

“We expect there will be more cases coming in a few days. We consider this as some effects after the holiday events and clusters,” Edwin Tsui, an official with Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, told reporters on Monday, according to the wire service. “With our current containment measures, we hope we can still contain the disease.”

Hong Kong authorities also announced on Monday that starting Tuesday, anyone in close contact with someone who tests positive for the virus would be required to isolate at home, the AP added.

Meanwhile, cases in Singapore tripled since the holiday to 13,000 reported on Friday, but by Sunday, they were down to 7,752. In China, daily cases fluctuated, with just nine reported on Friday and 45 on Monday, the AP reported. 

China has imposed strict COVID-19 policies, especially as the country hosts the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, multiple athletes who have tested positive for the virus have criticized the lack of information and edible food in some of Beijing’s quarantine hotels.