Five years after COVID-19 almost crippled the world, the virus is back in the spotlight.
Hong Kong and Singapore – two of Asia’s most densely populated cities – are reporting a sharp rise in infections, reigniting concerns across the region.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health reported 14,200 cases from April 27 to May 3, up from 11,100 the previous week, according to The Straits Times. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Hong Kong is entering a new wave, with severe cases and deaths reaching a one-year high.
In contrast, the Philippines is seeing a different trend. The Department of Health (DOH) has allayed fears of another surge of COVID cases, noting that it sees no cause for alarm. As of May 3, 2025, the DOH said it has observed an 87 percent decrease in cases and fatalities from 2024 with 1,774 cases reported this year compared to 14,074 cases last year.
The current COVID case fatality rate also remains relatively low at 1.13 percent. The DOH has also observed a “slight decrease in reported cases over the past three to four weeks,” indicating that current transmission levels remain manageable.
This situation reflects the ongoing, cyclical nature of the now-endemic virus and the importance of continued vigilance and vaccinations. This is a timely reminder of the persistent risk posed by COVID and other respiratory illnesses and the need for everyone- especially for the elderly and immunocompromised - to get their jabs updated especially against the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
As the rainy season nears, getting vaccinated is an important and potentially life-saving step especially since the upcoming season is typically associated with spikes in respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, and pneumonia. This seasonal pattern underscores the critical importance of getting vaccinated — not only to protect oneself not only from COVID but even from the common flu, in order to guard against other potentially serious infections that thrive in colder, damper conditions.
In addition to vaccinations, the DOH continues to emphasize simple yet effective preventive measures that the public should observe. These include wearing face masks in health care facilities, staying home when sick, covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing, regular washing of hands with soap and water, and seeking early consultation for symptoms.
These measures are not limited to preventing the spread of COVID but also applies to other diseases.
At 61, I have learned that health is not something we can afford to take lightly, more so as we age. Our immune systems naturally weaken over time, making us more vulnerable to infections and complications. There is no shame in being cautious – on the contrary, exercising caution is an effective way to protect ourselves, and safeguard our loved ones and the larger community.
We’ve lived through a pandemic that changed the world. We saw hospitals pushed to their limits, families separated, and lives lost - not just to the virus, but to the consequences of being unprepared. We were curtailed of the freedom we took for granted. We saw how livelihoods and businesses were affected due to economic fallout of prolonged lockdowns. These were not distant headlines – they were our lived realities. And we must not forget them.
This is not the time to be complacent. The best defense, particularly for our most vulnerable, is prevention. This means staying up to date with booster shots, flu vaccines, and other age-appropriate immunizations. It means encouraging elderly parents, immunocompromised friends to visit the doctor or barangay health center, not when we’re already sick, but before we are.
If you’re caring for an older loved one, don’t wait for symptoms. A simple conversation about vaccines could save a life.
Beyond these preventive measures, let us proactively take steps to boost our immune systems through healthy eating practices, regular exercise, enough rest, and stress management. Prevention becomes more effective when everyone does their part in making informed, health-conscious decisions.
The rainy season is fast approaching, and it wouldn’t hurt if we become more cautious against common colds and illnesses. We are not powerless over our health, and we also have the power to help protect the most vulnerable.
This isn’t just about individual health, it’s about collective responsibility. Every vaccine, every healthy choice, every act of care ripples outward. It protects not just you, but the people you love and the communities you are part of.
Because if there’s one thing the past five years have taught us, it’s this: prevention is always better than cure, always.