New JN.1 Covid variant cases surge in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand: Should India be worried?
Officials meet to assess preparedness
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Neighbours see significant increases
New variants driving spread
Immunity is waning, say officials
India remains cautious, not complacent
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As several Asian countries witness a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases, Indian health authorities have said the situation at home remains 'under control', with only a slight rise in some states.According to officials quoted by PTI, India reported 257 active cases as of 19 May 2025. 'As per the preliminary information available, the cases are mostly mild, not associated with unusual severity or mortality,' an official said. The central government is closely monitoring the developments and has increased health surveillance nationwide.A review meeting was held in New Delhi on Monday. It was chaired by the Director General of Health Services and included senior experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and major central government hospitals.Officials concluded that while the region is seeing a surge, 'the number of cases seen until Monday was very low considering the large population of the country.' They also confirmed that almost all cases in India have been mild and did not require hospitalisation.'A robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including Covid-19, also exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR,' an official noted.The latest Covid-19 wave sweeping across Southeast Asia has led to alarming case numbers. In Singapore, the Ministry of Health reported 14,200 cases in the week of 27 April to 3 May 2025, up from 11,100 the previous week. Hospitalisations rose too, from 102 to 133 per day. However, the number of intensive care patients dropped from three to two daily.'The hospitals are currently able to manage the increase in cases,' the Singapore Health Ministry stated in its report.Thailand has seen a bigger jump. Between 11 and 17 May, the country reported 33,030 new infections, with over 6,000 of them in Bangkok alone. According to the Department of Disease Control, this surge was likely fuelled by holiday travel during Songkran, the Thai New Year, held from 13 to 15 April.In Hong Kong, test positivity rates more than doubled in four weeks — from 6.21% to 13.66% between early and mid-April. 'After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of Covid-19 in every six to nine months,' said Dr Edwin Tsui, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection.Even mainland China reported an increase between 31 March and 4 May. The Chinese CDC noted a jump in Covid positivity among patients with flu-like symptoms, rising from 7.5% to 16.2%. Among hospitalised patients, the rate nearly doubled — from 3.3% to 6.3%.Health experts point to the spread of new Omicron-related variants as a major factor behind the resurgence. Singapore has confirmed that LF.7 and NB.1.8 — both sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant — now account for more than two-thirds of all sequenced Covid cases there.'At present, LF.7 and NB.1.8 (both descendants of the JN.1 variant) are the main COVID-19 variants circulating in Singapore, together accounting for more than two-thirds of locally sequenced cases. JN.1 is also the variant used in the formulation of the current Covid-19 vaccine,' Singapore's Ministry of Health stated.The JN.1 variant, first identified in August 2023, was classified by the World Health Organisation as a 'variant of interest' in December the same year. It is part of the Omicron BA.2.86 family and is characterised by over 30 mutations.In Thailand, the XEC variant — another Omicron sub-strain — is also in circulation and may have contributed to the surge, especially during public holidays.Experts across the region believe that immunity built from earlier vaccinations or infections is wearing off. Singaporean health authorities pointed out that many of the infected hadn't received booster shots in over a year. Seasonal factors, increased travel, and larger gatherings may also be accelerating the spread.'Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP is of the view that Covid-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a periodic pattern,' said Dr Tsui of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection. He added that the city now expects active Covid cycles every six to nine months, mainly due to declining herd immunity and changing variants.India has not officially confirmed any local spread of the JN.1 variant or its sub-lineages. But the government remains alert. 'The Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely,' a source told PTI. 'Appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.'For now, there's no sign of a significant domestic surge. But the global rise in cases has served as a reminder — the pandemic's grip may have loosened, but it hasn't vanished.
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