This shift in variant dominance has led to a 28% rise in infections in Singapore during the week ending May 3, 2025. Similarly, Hong Kong has observed a significant increase in cases, with COVID-19 test positivity jumping from 6.21% to 13.66% over a four-week period, indicating rapid spread of these variants. Experts say the rise is also influenced by reduced protection from prior infections or vaccinations, increased social mixing, and relaxed preventive behavior