Singapore’s Covid-19 infections rose significantly in mid-May, with health authorities reporting 12,700 cases in the week of 10 to 16 May 2026, compared with 8,000 cases in the previous week.
The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA)
said on 21 May that it is monitoring the increase in infections, while assuring the public that hospitals remain capable of handling the rise in cases.
Hospitalisations also increased during the same period. Average daily Covid-19 hospital admissions climbed from 56 to 73, while the number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases averaged one per day.
“The public acute hospitals are able to manage the increase in cases,” CDA said in its statement.
CDA said periodic Covid-19 waves remain expected as the disease continues circulating endemically within the community.
“As with other endemic respiratory diseases, periodic Covid-19 waves are expected throughout the year,” the agency said.
Authorities added there was currently “no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants”.
The agency said waning population immunity could be among the factors contributing to the latest increase in infections.
NB.1.8.1 variant dominant in Singapore
CDA identified the NB.1.8.1 variant, a descendant of the JN.1 strain, as the dominant variant circulating in Singapore.
According to the agency, the variant accounted for more than half of locally sequenced Covid-19 cases.
Despite the increase in infections, CDA said existing Covid-19 vaccines remain effective against the circulating strain.
“The current Covid-19 vaccine continues to be effective for protection against this variant,” the agency said.
Health authorities encouraged individuals at higher risk of severe illness to keep their vaccinations updated.
These include people aged 60 years and above, residents in aged care facilities, and medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above.
