Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) confirmed on 21 May 2026 that COVID-19 infections have surged to 12,700 cases in a single week – a near 60% jump from the 8,000 cases recorded the week before. Hospitalisations have also climbed, with average daily admissions rising from 56 to 73. The CDA is monitoring the situation closely and has attributed the rise in part to waning population immunity.
The dominant strain now circulating is NB.1.8.1, a descendant of the JN.1 variant. Authorities have confirmed that current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against it, and there is no indication the variant causes more severe disease than previous strains. Nevertheless, with cases climbing sharply, this is a timely reminder that environmental hygiene and surface disinfection remain critical lines of defence – especially for businesses, schools, hotels, and high-traffic spaces.
At Big Red, this is not new territory for us. During Singapore’s darkest pandemic days, we operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing emergency disinfection and anti-microbial services across the island – for hotels, schools, homes, offices, and even Ministry of Health-designated clusters. We have been here before. And we are ready again.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Singapore’s COVID-19 situation has moved from pandemic response to endemic management, which means periodic waves are expected. The CDA itself acknowledged this, noting that ‘periodic COVID-19 waves are expected throughout the year.’ What we are seeing now is one such wave – but its velocity demands attention.
The key data points from the CDA’s 21 May 2026 update:
- Weekly cases: 12,700 (up from 8,000 the prior week – a 59% increase)
- Average daily hospitalisations: 73 (up from 56)
- ICU cases: averaging 1 per day
- Dominant variant: NB.1.8.1 (descendant of JN.1), accounting for over half of locally sequenced cases
- Hospitals: public acute hospitals remain able to manage the caseload
- Vaccines: current COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against NB.1.8.1
While individual protection through vaccination remains the first line of defence, the CDA has also advised those feeling unwell to minimise social interactions, practise good hygiene, and wear masks if symptomatic. For businesses, facilities managers, and property owners, this is a clear signal to review disinfection protocols.
Why Surface Disinfection Still Matters
Even in an endemic context, COVID-19 spreads via two pathways: direct transmission (person to person through respiratory droplets) and indirect transmission (through contaminated surfaces – high-touch points such as lift buttons, door handles, shared equipment, countertops, and reception areas).
Indirect transmission is what makes professional disinfection so critical for commercial spaces. A single infectious person passing through an office, hotel lobby, school corridor, or clinic waiting room can leave viral particles on multiple surfaces – particles that, without proper treatment, can remain infectious and pose a risk to subsequent visitors for hours.
This is where Big Red’s experience from the pandemic years is directly relevant today. The processes we developed, refined, and delivered at scale during the height of COVID-19 are the same processes we bring to every engagement now – with the same rigour, the same equipment, and the same accountability.
Big Red’s COVID-19 Disinfection and Anti-Microbial Services
Our service offering for virus-related disinfection is built around two core solutions:
BRStrike – Professional Disinfection with 6-Log Kill Rate
BRStrike is our flagship disinfection solution, certified and listed on the EPA N List for COVID-19 disinfection. Using ionised hydrogen peroxide nebulised through a cold plasma arc, BRStrike achieves a 99.9999% kill rate (6-log kill) – a level so thorough that, by internationally accepted microbiological standards, treated surfaces can be classified as sterile. This is not standard sanitisation. This goes further than any cloth-and-spray approach.
BRStrike works by:
- Converting hydrogen peroxide into a fine, ionically charged aerosol mist
- The ionic charge creates a magnetic attraction between droplets and pathogen surfaces
- Reaching every nook, corner, and shadow zone – areas conventional sprays and cloths simply cannot cover
- Achieving a 5-second application time with no rinsing, no residue, and no bleach
- Converting entirely to oxygen and water vapour post-treatment – safe for electronics and surfaces
BRStrike is suitable for offices, hotel guest rooms, schools, medical facilities, retail spaces, and residential homes. Our team is PPE-equipped, professionally trained, and available 24/7, including public holidays.
Watch BRStrike for Hospitality Surface Disinfection »
BRShield – Long-Lasting Anti-Microbial Surface Protection
BRShield is our optional second step after BRStrike. Once applied, it creates a self-disinfecting surface coating that provides ongoing anti-microbial protection for up to six months – without re-treatment. The coating continuously neutralises bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact, providing a persistent layer of protection between professional cleaning visits.
BRShield has been independently tested and proven to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, providing continuous virucidal activity. It is particularly valuable in high-traffic or high-risk zones – reception counters, lift interiors, communal kitchens, gym equipment, and children’s play areas.
DIY Protection: BR Protect Anti-Microbial Spray
Not every space requires a full commercial disinfection service. For homeowners, small offices, and individuals wanting to take proactive steps in their own environment, we offer BR Protect – our consumer-grade anti-microbial spray available from our online store.
BR Protect provides 30 to 100 days of anti-microbial protection per application, depending on the surface and usage intensity. Easy to apply and safe for everyday surfaces, it is designed to give homeowners and small businesses the same confidence in surface hygiene that our commercial clients enjoy through BRShield.
You can purchase BR Protect directly at store.bigred.com.sg.
Who Should Act Now?
Based on our pandemic-era experience and the current trajectory, we recommend proactive disinfection engagement for:
Hotels and Serviced Residences
High guest turnover means elevated surface risk across all touchpoints
Schools and Childcare Centres
Children are a vulnerable group; clusters spread quickly in educational settings
Healthcare Clinics and Medical Suites
Already high-risk environments now facing additional COVID pressure
Corporate Offices
Employees returning from leave, working in shared spaces with shared equipment
Food and Beverage Outlets
Employees returning from leave, working in shared spaces with shared equipment
- Residential homes with elderly, immunocompromised, or vulnerable family members
- Event venues, gyms, and retail spaces with significant footfall
During the height of the pandemic, Big Red was called to disinfect some of Singapore’s most recognised institutions – from five-star hotels along Orchard Road and Marina Bay, to schools, government-linked facilities, and designated MOH clusters. We understand the protocols, the urgency, and the accountability required for each setting.
Practical Steps You Can Take Right Now
While waiting for professional services or in parallel with them:
- Increase the frequency of cleaning and wiping of high-touch surfaces – door handles, light switches, lift buttons, shared equipment
- Ensure proper ventilation in enclosed spaces
- Use BR Protect spray on surfaces between professional treatments
- Ask staff who feel unwell to stay home and wear masks where required
- Book a professional BRStrike disinfection as a precautionary or post-incident response
Big Red’s Pandemic Track Record
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Red was one of Singapore’s most active professional disinfection providers. We responded to calls at all hours – 24/7, rain or shine, circuit breaker or not. Our teams disinfected:
- Five-star hotels managing guest safety across hundreds of rooms
- Schools and childcare centres coordinating with MOE and MOH protocols
- Residential HDB estates and private condominiums
- Corporate offices enabling business continuity during peak outbreak periods
- Officially designated COVID-19 clusters, coordinated alongside national authorities
- Dormitories, food courts, transport hubs, and retail malls
We were featured on Channel NewsAsia’s ‘The Big Clean Up’ series for our work during this period. Our methods, our people, and our commitment to doing the job properly – not just quickly – were recognised at a national level.
We bring that same standard to every job today.
Ready to Act? Contact Big Red Today.
Whether you need emergency disinfection following a suspected COVID case, a scheduled preventive service for your premises, or simply want to stock up on BR Protect for your home or office – we are here.
Big Red is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – because outbreaks don’t wait for office hours.
