Latest news with #VikasMaurya
Mint
02-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Covid-19 cases in India: 203 new cases, 4 deaths reported in last 24 hours
India registered 203 new Covid-19 patients in the last 24 hours, with the total number of cases reaching 3,961 in the latest coronavirus outbreak, showed health ministry data on Monday. The disease that brought the world to a standstill in 2020 claimed four more lives, one each in Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, with the toll reaching 32 since 1 January 2025. Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331) have reported the most number of cases so far. This fresh wave has been caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. Both were found in India. The positivity rate stands at approximately 64.08%. A high positivity rate suggests higher transmission and that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven't been tested yet. Dr Vikas Maurya, head of the pulmonary department at Fortis Healthcare, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, said they were largely seeing Covid-19 patients with mild infection, taking a maximum of one week to recover. 'Right now, every second person who has symptoms like cough, cold, fever and sore throat should get themselves tested for covid-19 and use a mask and isolate themselves.' He said most patients are inquiring about the Covid-19 vaccine. However, due to its unavailability, people who are willing to take the vaccine are not able to get the shot. 'The vaccine should be there, and it should be made voluntary for those who wish to take it.' Recently, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former director of the Indian Council of Medical Research and ex-chief scientist at the World Health Organisation, urged pharma companies to ensure that they can create a vaccine for the latest coronavirus variant. The health ministry's Covid-19 dashboard revealed that at least 370 patients recovered from the infection or got discharged in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 2,188. A senior government scientist involved in the monitoring of the infection said the disease is not going to make a major impact on the population this time. 'We have all the tools to monitor Covid-19. The government has increased the testing capacity; it's doing the sentinel surveillance to target the select population in a specific location. The infection is mild, so there is nothing to worry.'
India.com
19-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
COVID-19 resurgence in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong: Things you must know about JN.1 variant
It was just a few years ago when the world was hit by a major pandemic of COVID-19, infecting millions and causing widespread disruptions. But after a long lull, the world tried to re-adjust to the post-pandemic reality. However, once again, an alarming situation has caused a buzz. Several parts of Asia, like Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand, are seeing a sharp surge in the number of coronavirus cases. Driven by the new Omicron sub-variant like JN.1 and its descendants, it is spreading like wildfire. Health care officials and professionals have given a heads-up on an alarming situation and have been staying on high alert. They have also warned people to be more cautious and be vigilant about hygiene. From 11,000 cases last week of April to over 14,000 cases in early May 2025, the infection has seen a surge. However, until now, there has been no evidence on whether the latest variant is more transmissible or severe than the prior one. According to the report by New18, the subvariants of JN 1, like LF.7 and NB.1.8, are currently the most common variants and account for two-thirds of the recorded cases in Singapore. India is also not left behind in being affected by these cases, currently, there are about 93 active COVID-19 cases in India as of May 19. Even though the jump in India is not as high as of now, however, doctors do believe that India could witness a similar surge, considering the drop in immunity of the population. 'The recent surge in countries like Hong Kong and China is being linked to waning antibodies, and the same could hold true for India,' Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Director and Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, told ET HealthWorld. He further added, 'It is possible that India might see a similar spike. In China, the rise in cases is attributed to decreased antibodies or immunity over time — the same could happen here. Many people in India were vaccinated a long time ago. If their immunity has dropped, more individuals could catch and spread the infection'. Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director, Max Healthcare, also emphasised the unusual timing of this spread because he believes that respiratory issues are typically not at peak in summer. 'What is disturbing is that this wave is increasingly affecting populations in Southeast Asia during the summer months — a time when respiratory viruses typically don't peak,' Budhiraja added. 'COVID-19 has never truly disappeared — it has lingered in an endemic form, occasionally causing local or regional outbreaks. As immunity diminishes over time, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with comorbidities, the virus finds an opportunity to spread,' Budhiraja said. The BA.2.86 variant is a descendant of the JN1 variant. It is also called Pirola and was initially seen in August 2023. In December, the World Health Organisation labeled it a 'Variant of Interest.' It possesses approximately 30 mutations that make it evade immunity more efficiently compared to most prior variants. While BA.2.86 did not achieve dominance, JN.1 evolved greater transmission capacity through further mutations, according to Johns Hopkins University. Yale Medicine also adds that JN.1 is slightly different from its parent strain because it has a single mutation in its spike protein, which could potentially give it an advantage in evading the immune system, although this would require further research. Symptoms are mostly the same as previous strains. Individuals affected by JN.1 might have sore throat, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, tiredness, body pain, and sometimes loss of smell or taste. Most of the mild infections are self-manageable at home, but individuals with low immunity should remain cautious.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Is India Next? COVID Cases Explode Across Asia — Experts Warn of a Looming Surge at Home
New Delhi: As a fresh COVID-19 wave grips parts of Asia — from Singapore and Hong Kong to Thailand — health experts are sounding the alarm: Could India be the next hotspot? With a massive population and waning immunity from past vaccinations, India may be on the brink of another viral resurgence. The highly infectious JN.1 variant, though not deadlier, is spreading rapidly across borders — and the warning signs are eerily familiar. According to leading doctors, India could indeed witness a similar wave, driven by decreased immunity in the population. 'The recent surge in countries like Hong Kong and China is being linked to waning antibodies, and the same could hold true for India,' explains Dr. Vikas Maurya , Senior Director and Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Shalimar Bagh. 'With a significant amount of time having passed since most people received their COVID vaccinations, lower antibody levels may increase susceptibility to infection and its transmission within communities.' He further warns, 'It is possible that India might see a similar spike. In China, the rise in cases is attributed to decreased antibodies or immunity over time — the same could happen here. Many people in India were vaccinated a long time ago. If their immunity has dropped, more individuals could catch and spread the infection.' Noting that the JN.1 variant isn't significantly different from previous strains, its timing and spread are unusual, Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja , Group Medical Director, Max Healthcare , said, 'What is disturbing is that this wave is increasingly affecting populations in Southeast Asia during the summer months — a time when respiratory viruses typically don't peak,' he says. Though JN.1, a subvariant of Omicron, does not usually cause severe illness, it is highly infectious and can spread rapidly across communities. The symptoms, he adds, remain similar to earlier variants, with no unique or alarming clinical differences so far. Elucidating about the key differences between the JN.1 variant and the variants currently circulating in India — should we be concerned about its transmissibility or severity? Health experts clarify that JN.1 is already present in India, although the subvariants detected here may differ slightly from those currently driving the surge in countries like Hong Kong and China. JN.1 is a mutated coronavirus strain descending from the Omicron lineage, specifically a direct descendant of BA.2.86, also known as Pirola . "The variant has quickly gained dominance in several parts of the world, including the United States and now China, and has been officially classified as a 'variant of interest' by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This classification stems from its high risk of rapid growth, owing to its ability to multiply swiftly, and a moderate risk of antibody escape, which means it can somewhat evade existing immune defenses," Dr. Maurya said. However, the reassuring aspect is that JN.1 has so far been associated with only mild to moderate symptoms, and the risk of severe disease remains low. 'We are primarily seeing mild forms of illness — not many cases of severe complications,' the expert noted. That said, Dr. Maurya informed that India should remain vigilant. While JN.1 may not cause serious illness in most cases, its high transmissibility means that if it begins to spread widely, it could lead to a sharp increase in cases, placing additional pressure on healthcare systems even if hospitalizations remain low. As the world debates the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, Indian experts stress that testing and, more importantly, genomic surveillance are critical to identify which variants are currently circulating. "COVID-19," they emphasize, "has never truly disappeared — it has lingered in an endemic form, occasionally causing local or regional outbreaks. The current uptick in cases abroad is not necessarily due to a more dangerous strain but is likely the result of waning immunity across the population, particularly since regular vaccinations have slowed. As immunity diminishes over time, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with comorbidities, the virus finds an opportunity to spread," Budhiraja cautions. In light of these developments, India may need to reassess its vaccination strategy — particularly booster doses for high-risk groups. While current vaccines were designed for earlier strains, they still offer critical protection against severe outcomes. Globally, booster shots have been shown to reduce transmission and limit the severity of illness. Both doctors emphasise that public health measures — such as masking, hand hygiene, and physical distancing — remain effective and should be reinforced if infections rise. Large-scale lockdowns are unlikely, but local interventions may be required in the event of localized outbreaks. "Crucially, India's genomic surveillance capabilities are robust, with laboratories in cities like Delhi and Pune actively monitoring viral mutations. This infrastructure is pivotal in identifying and responding to new variants," Dr. Maurya added. Experts also stress the importance of learning from other countries' experiences. Hong Kong's management of vaccination strategy, public health communication, and healthcare capacity can offer valuable lessons for India's preparedness. With international travel acting as a conduit for virus transmission, enhanced screening — and, if necessary, quarantine — for travelers from high-risk regions is recommended to prevent the import of more infectious or potentially severe variants. Treatment protocols for JN.1 remain consistent with earlier strains and primarily focus on symptomatic relief. Severe cases, though rare, may require antivirals or anti-inflammatory medications. Research is ongoing to assess how well existing vaccines and treatments hold up against the variant, but current medical consensus remains cautiously optimistic.
