Singapore's COVID-19 Cases Increase 28%

With over 16 million visitors in 2024, the Republic of Singapore has become a tourist favorite destination. However, before visiting this city-state in Southeast Asia in May 2025, it is highly recommended that you protect yourself from COVID-19.

Like most other countries, Singapore has experienced multiple waves of COVID-19 since the first confirmed case in January 2020. 

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency, COVID-19 infections have significantly increased in the Spring of 2025. 

The MOH estimated the number of COVID-19 cases from the last week of April to May 3, 2025, at 14,200, compared to 11,100 cases in the previous week.

The 28% increase in cases could be due to several factors, including waning population immunity.

Currently, LF.7 and NB.1.8, descendants of the JN.1 variant, are the main COVID-19 variants circulating in Singapore, accounting for more than two-thirds of locally sequenced cases.

JN.1 is also the variant used in formulating the current COVID-19 vaccines, which remain effective in protecting against severe illness.

Singapore's MOH wrote that 'individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19, such as those aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals, or residents of aged care facilities, are recommended to keep updated with vaccinations, and receive an additional dose around one year after their last dose.

In the United States, the U.S. FDA recently approved Nuvaxovid™, a non-mRNA, JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine that is active against current circulating strains, including KP.2 and KP.3. This vaccine, and other travel vaccines, are offered at clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.