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The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
What's behind the recent Covid-19 spike in India?
The story so far The Indian government recently confirmed that there has been a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases across Asia over the past few weeks. Stating that India too, has reported 257 cases this year, it said that all States have been alerted about the situation and have been asked to remain vigilant and initiative preventive measures. Maharashtra, which has reported the maximum surge, saw an uptick in active cases. Cases in the State went up from 12 to 56 in one week. Other states including Kerala and Tamil Nadu have also reported a surge in COVID-19 cases. Other states including Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim have reported single-digit infections. 'As per preliminary information available, the cases are mostly mild, not associated with unusual severity or mortality,' Health Ministry officials told The Hindu. Is the virus active in Southeast Asia? A significant number of cases have been reported in Hong Kong and Singapore, two of Asia's biggest cities. According to the Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, the virus is quite active. Health authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore, China and Thailand have urged people to take new booster vaccinations. 'While the increase in cases could be due to factors including waning population immunity, there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible - or cause more severe cases - than during the pandemic,' Singapore's Health Ministry said. What are the Centre's directives to States? According to experts, the JN.1 variant and its related descendants, which belong to the Omicron family, is causing the surge. As per Singapore health authorities, new variants, LF.7 and NB.1.8, descendants of the JN.1 variant, are circulating rapidly. India's Health Ministry said recently that it has reviewed the domestic situation to assess risks and said that 'it remains alert and proactive, ensuring readiness to protect public health as the situation evolves.' 'Nearly all the cases in India currently are mild, and do not require hospitalisation. Hospitals have been advised to closely monitor influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections,'' said a Union Health Ministry official following a high-level meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and major government hospitals recently. The official added that as per preliminary reports, cases in India remain mostly mild, without unusual severity or fatalities. 'The COVID situation in India continues to be under control,'' said the Ministry. It was on 11 March 2020 that World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic and reiterated the call for countries to take immediate actions and scale up response to treat, detect and reduce transmission to save people's lives. What was the recent Covid deaths controversy about? Recently, the Central Government also issued a statement about excess COVID-19 deaths during 2020-21 as indicated in the latest Civil Registration System (CRS) data. The new data from the country's official record of births and deaths indicated that about 21 lakh more deaths were registered in 2021, the year of the deadly Delta wave of Covid-19, compared to 2020. 'All deaths are not equal to COVID-19,'' said a senior Health Ministry official adding that India's cumulative excess mortality for 2020-2021 was 9.3 per cent higher than expected deaths, a figure which was lower than that of the U.S., Italy and Russia. A WHO report had however, estimated India's excess deaths at 47 lakhs. Another report in a top medical journal cited a figure of about 41 lakh excess deaths in this period. The source further explained that the increase in deaths registered in CRS could be attributed to several reasons, including a larger population cohort, maturing reporting processes and increased awareness of the need for registration, leading to higher registration levels.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Covid-19 Cases Rising Again: All About JN.1 Strain And Its Symptoms
A surge in Covid-19 cases has been observed across Asia over the past few months. A significant number of cases have been reported in Hong Kong and Singapore, two of Asia's biggest cities. According to the Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, the virus is quite active. Health authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore, China and Thailand have urged people to take new booster vaccinations. "While the increase in cases could be due to factors including waning population immunity, there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible - or cause more severe cases - than during the pandemic," Singapore's health ministry said. Fresh cases reported in India Maharashtra has also recorded an uptick in active cases, with a spike from 12 to 56 in one week. Currently, India has 257 active Covid-19 cases, with Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu reporting the maximum cases. "India stands at 257 cases and is monitoring the situation with increased vigilance. As per the preliminary information available, the cases are mostly mild, not associated with unusual severity or mortality," health officials told PTI. Is there a new variant? The JN.1 variant and its related descendants, which belong to the Omicron family, are believed to be the driver behind the surge in Covid-19 cases across Asia. As per Singapore health authorities, new variants, LF.7 and NB.1.8, descendants of the JN.1 variant, are contributing to the surge. About JN.1 The JN.1 strain is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variant (an Omicron sub-variant). The World Health Organisation has classified the JN.1 strain as a "variant of interest" and now a "variant of concern" yet. WHO has also mentioned that the global public health risk posed by JN.1 is low. Signs and symptoms of JN.1 variant Most infected individuals experience mild upper respiratory symptoms. Some common symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, exhaustion and minor gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, the new variant may also present with a loss of appetite and persistent nausea. These symptoms are usually mild and typically improve within four to five days. As the cases are rapidly increasing, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation. As an individual, wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and follow other Covid-19 precautions to stay safe. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Covid-19 Cases Spike In Asia: About JN.1 Variant And Affected Countries
In Thailand, most of the infections were in those aged between 30 and 39. New Delhi: A resurgent wave of Covid-19 is spreading through Southeast Asia, with densely populated regions in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand witnessing a spike in cases. Health authorities are on alert in major cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, China and Thailand have asked people to take new booster vaccinations. Most Affected Countries According to the Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, the virus' activity in the city is now "quite high." The percentage of respiratory samples testing Covid-positive in Hong Kong recently reached its highest in a year. In the week ending May 3, Hong Kong reported 31 severe cases, which is a 12-month peak, according to a report by Bloomberg. While the resurgence is yet to match the infection peaks seen in the past two years, the rise of viral load in sewage water and Covid-related medical consultations and hospitalisations suggests the infection is spreading actively in the city of over 7 million people. In Singapore, the health ministry said the number of Covid--19 cases has jumped 28 per cent to 14,200 in the week ending May 3, with daily hospitalisations rising around 30 per cent. Notably, this is the first time in nearly a year that the Singaporean government has released official figures in this manner, as the country now only provides case updates when there is a noticeable spike. "While the increase in cases could be due to factors including waning population immunity, there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible - or cause more severe cases - than during the pandemic," Singapore's health ministry said. A similar trend was reported in Thailand, where Covid-19 cases spiked to 33,030 in the week ending May 17, doubling from 16,000 cases reported in the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Authorities said most cases were reported in Bangkok (6,290), followed by Chon Buri (2,573), Rayong (1,680), and Nonthaburi (1,482). Most of the infections were in those aged between 30 and 39, with Thai public health authorities urging people, especially those in high-risk groups, to get booster vaccinations without delay. The resurgence of infection in the cases followed the Songkran festival in April, which involved widespread gatherings and is believed to have accelerated transmission. Covid-19 cases are also rising in China, where the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that from March 31 to May 4, the COVID-19 positivity rate among outpatient and emergency influenza-like cases nationwide increased from 7.5 per cent to 16.2 per cent. The positivity rate of hospitalised cases also increased from 3.3 per cent to 6.3 per cent, according to The sudden rise in cases is considered a warning sign that China may be entering a wave similar to that experienced during the previous summer. Meanwhile, India also witnessed a rise in Covid-19 cases in the past week, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reporting 257 active cases nationwide. However, there has been no sign of an outbreak so far, with authorities closely monitoring the situation. New Variant The driver behind the surge of Covid-19 cases in Asia is reportedly the JN.1 variant and its related descendants, which are a subvariant of the Omicron lineage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated JN.1 as "variant of interest", though not yet a "variant of concern." That suggests that authorities are closely monitoring the situation, but there's no conclusive evidence so far that it causes more severe illness like the other Omicron subvariants.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Hong Kong, Singapore on alert as Covid cases spike
Hong Kong/Singapore: Health authorities in densely-populated Hong Kong and Singapore have warned that Covid-19 cases are spiking, as a resurgent wave spreads through Asia. The virus' activity in Hong Kong is now "quite high," Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the city's Center for Health Protection, told the media this week. The percentage of respiratory samples testing Covid-positive in Hong Kong recently reached its highest in a year, Au added. The centre's data showed that severe cases reached their highest level in about a year, at 31, in the week through 3 May. Also, the resurgence has yet to match the infection peaks of the previous two years. The rising viral load found in sewage water and Covid-related medical consultations and hospitalisations suggest the virus is actively spreading in the city of over 7 million people. Meanwhile in Singapore, in its first update on infection numbers in almost a year, this month, the city's state health ministry estimated the number of Covid-19 cases jumped 28 per cent to 14,200 in the week through May 3 from the previous seven days, while daily hospitalisation rose around 30 per cent. Experts predict that the increase in cases may have occurred due to factors including waning population immunity, but Singapore's health ministry said there is no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible. The hike in two of Asia's most significant cities comes as Covid-19 has risen across the region in the past few months, with waves of the now-endemic disease swelling periodically. Health authorities have called on people to update their vaccinations, reminding high-risk individuals to get booster shots. Unlike other respiratory pathogens, Covid-19's comeback as the northern hemisphere enters summer shows the virus can still sicken a large swath of the population even when the weather is hot.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Another Covid wave coming? Hong Kong and Singapore report sharp jump in cases as virus detected in sewage water
Covid-19 is once again making headlines in Asia, with Hong Kong and Singapore witnessing a sharp rise in infections, hospitalizations, and virus activity, challenging assumptions that the disease would slow in warmer months, Bloomberg reported. In Hong Kong, authorities are sounding the alarm. 'The virus' activity is quite high,' said Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Center for Health Protection. The city recorded its highest percentage of Covid-positive respiratory samples in a year, and severe cases, including deaths, also climbed to a year-high of 31 in the week ending May 3. Sewage surveillance, a reliable indicator of community spread, shows elevated viral loads, confirming that the coronavirus is circulating widely in the city of over 7 million. Singapore, meanwhile, is grappling with its own spike. For the first time in nearly a year, the health ministry released a formal Covid update after cases surged by 28% in one week to an estimated 14,200 infections. Hospitalizations have jumped by 30%, and the government has reminded high-risk residents to stay up to date on vaccinations. Though no new variant is to blame, health experts suggest waning immunity is allowing the virus to spread more easily. 'There's no evidence these strains are more severe,' Singapore's health ministry said, 'but they are still capable of disrupting lives and overwhelming healthcare systems.' The effects are already being felt beyond hospitals. In Taiwan, popular Hong Kong singer Eason Chan tested positive and was forced to cancel his Kaohsiung concerts this week, disappointing thousands of fans. Elsewhere in Asia, similar patterns are emerging. China's CDC reported a doubling of Covid test positivity among hospital patients in the past five weeks. And in Thailand, post-Songkran gatherings have led to cluster outbreaks, according to the Department of Disease Control.
