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Mint
16 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
Covid-19 now endemic in India, say government scientists as cases decline
New Delhi: Covid-19 has become endemic in India, top scientists at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) monitoring the virus have said, ruling out the risk of any severe fresh outbreak. The current situation, they noted, is marked by small, isolated episodes rather than large waves of infections. This assessment is reflected in the steadily declining number of active cases. India's active caseload dropped to 5,012 on Sunday, down from 5,976 on Friday, according to official data. Two new deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities this year to 112. Scientists attribute the decline to high population immunity and the continuing mildness of the virus. The current spread is largely driven by Omicron sub-variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, which have so far remained less virulent. 'When transmission efficiency increases, the peak comes faster and the decline is also faster,' said Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, national chair at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former head scientist at the agency. 'Covid-19 has become endemic in India. The concerning part is that we don't want new infections, but the good news is that new variants over the last three years have remained mild or milder.' He also noted that many infections now go undetected but still contribute to building antibody responses in the population, a natural form of immunization that limits severe illness. The testing levels have declined, and comprehensive data on current infections remains limited. 'Presently, there is no very good record of the number of tests being done, and it needs to be done scientifically. But there are no significant adverse clinical symptoms to be concerned about,' one senior DBT scientist said. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, public health expert and past president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cochin, said that Covid-19 is now behaving like a cyclical disease, with temporary immunity leading to periodic rises in cases. 'As the level of immunity in the population drops, the virus is able to infect more people and cases will naturally rise. However, due to past vaccination and exposure to the virus earlier, immune memory protects against severe disease and death,' he said. Vulnerable individuals, he added, should remain cautious, especially during periods of surge. Jayadevan also pointed out that SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve in response to the human immune system, leading to recurring infection cycles roughly every 6 to 12 months. 'The reported number of cases is always an underestimate because of limited testing,' he said. Influenza, which is also circulating, remains a significant contributor to disease burden, he added. Earlier, Mint reported that a spike in cases during April was driven by the JN.1.16 sub-variant of Omicron. In May, most cases were linked to recombinant sub-lineages such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. As per government guidelines, all hospitalized Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) patients and 5% of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) cases continue to be tested for Covid-19. Positive SARI samples are routinely sent for genome sequencing. The health ministry reported 1,197 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing total recoveries this year to 19,435. Authorities continue to advise precautions, including avoiding crowded places when unwell and following Covid-appropriate behaviour. 'In hospitals too, patient load has come down and most cases are now manageable at home,' said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of the respiratory department at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
News18
21-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Covid-19 Back In News: Are We Physically And Mentally Ready For Another Wave Of Pandemic?
Last Updated: India's leading epidemiologist, Dr Raman Gangakhedkar has said that there is no cause for panic unless there is a noticeable rise in hospitalisations or fatalities in the country The deadly second wave of Covid-19 in India during April-May 2021 remains vivid in the memories of countless families who lost loved ones, as well as those who battled the infection caused by the Delta variant, scientifically known as B.1.617.2. India has not witnessed any significant uptick in Covid-19 cases since the third wave, driven by the Omicron variant, which lasted from December 2021 to February 2022. Since then, life has largely moved on from the horrific Covid period. However, the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong, has raised fresh concerns. While there is no reason to panic about Covid-19 in India at the moment, the question remains: are we truly prepared—both physically and mentally—to face another wave of the pandemic? Dr Bharat Agrawal, Senior Consultant in General Medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, said that the population's immunity against COVID-19 remains fairly robust at this stage, thanks to widespread vaccine coverage and the natural immunity developed through previous infections. 'In the context of the newer variants like JN.1, which is currently considered to be a very mild strain, the existing immunity—whether vaccine-induced, naturally acquired, or hybrid—is proving to be effective. There is no indication at present that an additional or variant-specific booster is required. The vaccines we have already received continue to serve their purpose in keeping infection rates under control and reducing the severity of symptoms in case of reinfection," he said. However, Dr Agrawal cautioned against underestimating any new Covid-19 variant. While the current situation does not indicate a concerning rise in severe cases linked to the JN.1 variant, he emphasized that continued adherence to basic precautions—such as wearing masks in crowded areas, maintaining hand hygiene, and following respiratory etiquette—remains sufficient and advisable in most situations. India's leading epidemiologist, Dr Raman Gangakhedkar — who was the face of th e government's daily health briefings during the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020 — has urged the public to remain calm, stating that there is no cause for panic unless there is a noticeable rise in hospitalisations or fatalities. Will Your Anti-bodies Protect You From New Variants? When asked whether antibodies from previous Covid-19 infections still offer protection or wane significantly over time, Dr Agrawal explained that such antibodies do tend to decline gradually, which is a normal part of the immune response. 'However, they don't vanish completely and still contribute meaningfully to our body's defense mechanism, especially when combined with vaccine-induced immunity. What we are seeing now is a broader and more layered form of protection in the population—what's often referred to as 'hybrid immunity.' This means that even if the antibody levels have gone down, the body retains memory cells that can mount a quicker and more effective response upon re-exposure. 'With the current JN.1 variant, there's no evidence to suggest that previous immunity has lost its protective value," he said. 'On the contrary, prior infections and vaccinations continue to reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and complications. So, while immunity may not prevent every new infection, it still plays a crucial role in blunting the impact of the virus." Are You Mentally Ready For Covid-19? While Covid-19 infections left the body vulnerable, the mind too bore a significant brunt. A study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care revealed a sharp rise in mental health issues across India during the pandemic, with urban populations being particularly affected. Globally, the World Health Organization reported a 25% spike in anxiety and depression cases during the first year of the outbreak—evidence of a deep, collective psychological toll. Despite the mental health strain caused by Covid-19, recent events such as terror attacks and geopolitical tensions have highlighted a notable resilience among the Indian population. Covid-19 Surge In Asia: How Dangerous Is JN.1 Variant And Are Existing Vaccines Effective? According to Dr Suresh Bada Math, Professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, this resilience is especially visible in semi-urban and rural communities, where strong spiritual beliefs, family bonds, and community support systems play a key role in maintaining psychological well-being. 'This socio-cultural resilience deeply rooted in India's traditions significantly complemented formal mental health interventions making India's psychosocial response to COVID-19 uniquely effective. I believe our countrymen are ever ready for any challenge," he told Antonios Kalentzis, a psychologist and committee member of the Political Psychology Section at the British Psychological Society, acknowledges that while societies have learned important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological preparedness for future waves or pandemics remains fragile. Which Countries Are Reporting Surge In Covid-19 Cases? Should You Travel To These Countries? In an interview with Kalentzis points out that many individuals still carry unresolved trauma from the initial outbreak—including grief, burnout, and social isolation—that could resurface if restrictions or fears return. top videos View all Kalentzis notes that although coping mechanisms have improved, chronic stress, eroded trust in institutions, and widespread fatigue have left deep psychological wounds. He emphasizes that beyond medical readiness, mental health preparedness is crucial. 'What's needed now is not just medical preparedness but mental health readiness: clear communication, community-based psychological support, and policies that balance public health with emotional wellbeing. Without this, the collective response may lean more toward emotional exhaustion than resilience," he said. tags : coronavirus covid-19 COVID-19 India Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 21, 2025, 08:38 IST News india Covid-19 Back In News: Are We Physically And Mentally Ready For Another Wave Of Pandemic?
News18
20-05-2025
- Health
- News18
'Covid Now Endemic, No New Threat From Singapore Surge': Ex-ICMR Scientist Explains Why Virus Keeps Returning
Last Updated: Government sources said India's current Covid-19 situation is stable, with only 257 active cases nationwide as of May 19 – all mild and not requiring hospitalisation Amid reports of a Covid surge in multiple Asian countries, India's top epidemiologist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar has said there is no need to panic unless there is evidence of an increase in hospitalisations or deaths. According to Singapore's health ministry, the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country has been caused by the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants. These two are the dominant variants circulating there, together accounting for more than two-thirds of locally sequenced cases. 'Both LF.7 and NB.1.8 are sublineages of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, they are descendants of the JN.1 variant, which itself is a sublineage of Omicron BA.2.86," former Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar told News18. Earlier, the WHO had noted that JN.1 and its descendants – including LF.7 and NB.1.8 – exhibit immune evasion properties. Current data, however, do not suggest that these variants cause more severe disease compared to earlier Omicron subvariants. Dr Raman Gangakhedkar said India has a vaccine targeting the Omicron variant, developed by Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. This mRNA-based vaccine, GEMCOVAC-19, is the first such developed in India. 'If there is an unusual surge in cases, India can increase production. However, as of now, there is nothing new or alarming," he said. 'We must accept that Covid-19 has become endemic. The only caution for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals is to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour like maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded places." Government sources told News18 that India's current Covid-19 situation is stable, with only 257 active cases nationwide as of May 19 – all of which are mild and not requiring hospitalisation. Dr Gangakhedkar, who has led many assignments on behalf of the ICMR including Kerala's Nipah outbreak, said the world is witnessing 'convergent evolution" – where organisms evolve and produce different variants in response to drugs and/or the body's immune pressure, including vaccines and past infections. 'Science is governed by the theory of 'survival of the fittest.' The virus has adapted; it survives not by killing the host, but by infecting them, replicating rapidly, and moving on to the next host. This is how the virus evolves," he said. He explained that it is an RNA virus – smart and capable of developing its own strains. 'We already know that the coronavirus can spread quickly. Other countries have identified these Omicron-lineage variants in circulation," he said. 'There is no need to panic unless the virus shows increased pathogenicity – meaning a rise in deaths or a significant increase in disease severity leading to hospitalisations," he said. 'Until then, the surge in cases being reported holds limited significance." DO WE NEED BOOSTER SHOTS? In short, Dr Gangakhedkar said no. He advised that unless there is a clear threat from the circulating variants, there is no need for booster doses – not even for the vulnerable or the elderly. 'So far, we lack strong scientific evidence and sufficient data to recommend booster doses for the elderly," he said. He further said there is no need for genome sequencing yet. 'Genome sequencing is an expensive process," he said. 'The government should only allocate funds for large-scale sequencing if there is a noticeable trend indicating an increase in hospital admissions or deaths due to respiratory illnesses." He added: 'We have encountered Omicron-lineage variants before and have seen that they do not significantly increase the risk of morbidity or mortality." First Published: May 20, 2025, 07:00 IST
