As COVID-19 cases surge in parts of Asia, India is maintaining a steady grip on the situation.
As of the 19th of May, the country has just 257 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s official COVID dashboard. Health authorities remain alert but calm, emphasizing that the current situation is under control. India is continuing to monitor respiratory infections closely through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, i.e., the IDSP, and the Indian Council of Medical Research, better known as the ICMR.
Hospitals have been advised to keep a close watch on influenza-like illnesses, i.e., ILI, and severe acute respiratory infections, i.e., SARI, as a precaution. Meanwhile, health experts are turning their attention to the JN.1 variant, which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron that is spreading rapidly across countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand.
The variant has also been detected in India, though there is no indication yet of a fresh wave of infections here.
In Singapore, COVID-19 cases rose significantly in the week ending on 3 May, with 14,200 new infections, up from 11,100 the week before. Hospitalisations are also climbing, with a 30 per cent increase reported.
Hong Kong health authorities have declared the virus at quite a high level, with positivity rates in respiratory samples now the highest in the past year. The city also recorded 31 COVID-related deaths that week, which is its worst in 12 months.
It carries a unique mutation in the spike protein, which may help the virus spread more easily and evade existing immunity.
So far, the World Health Organization has classified Jane 1 as a variant of interest, meaning it’s under close monitoring but not yet linked to more severe diseases.
The symptoms associated with Jane 1 are familiar—sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, and runny nose, with some patients also experiencing conjunctivitis, mild stomach issues, or diarrhea.
Fortunately, most infections remain mild to moderate, and severe cases are rare, particularly among healthy individuals. Still, older adults, those with chronic health conditions, and immunocompromised individuals are advised to stay vigilant.
Health officials continue to recommend the basic COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded places, frequent hand-washing, avoiding close contact with the sick, and staying up-to-date over the vaccines and booster doses. People experiencing symptoms such as fever or cough should stay at home, monitor their health, and seek medical care if necessary.
COVID cases are rising again in parts of Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong and Singapore reporting a sudden increase. As per a report published by Bloomberg, this seems to be a part of a fresh wave spreading through several regions in Asia.
China and Thailand are now seeing a jump in cases. China is approaching the level seen during last summer’s peak, while Thailand is dealing with infection clusters, especially after the Songkran festival held in April.
So which countries are reporting more cases? Why are the numbers rising? And are the authorities saying anything? And whether there is a reason to worry?
Let me break it down for you. Health officials in Hong Kong have reported a clear rise in COVID cases. This indicates the start of a new wave. The infection rate has gone up from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4% now. That is higher than the peak seen in August 2024.
This is according to the figures from the Centre for Health Protection on Tuesday. As per a report in the South China Morning Post, in the past four weeks, there have been 30 deaths among 81 serious adult cases.
What’s going in Singapore?
Singapore, another key financial hub, is also seeing a rise in COVID cases. The health ministry released its first update on infections in nearly a year, after cases jumped by 28% to 14,200 in the week ending May 3, compared to the previous week.
Daily hospitalizations have also gone up by around 30%. The health ministry and the Communicable Diseases Agency have said they are keeping a close watch on the growing number of cases. The ministry believes the increase in cases is likely due to falling immunity.
Other than any change in the severity or spread of the virus.
Which Other Asian Countries are seeing a rise in covide cases?
COVID cases have been rising across Asia in recent months, with new waves of the now-infectious virus appearing from time to time. The surge in two of the region’s major cities appears to be part of this broader trend.
In China, COVID cases are rising and could soon reach the levels seen during the last year’s summer wave, which is based on data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thailand is also reporting a rise.
So should you be concerned?
It doesn’t seem so for now. Doctors in Singapore are treating the current wave like a common flu outbreak.
Still, those in high-risk groups have been advised to take extra care. Singapore’s health authorities recommend that vulnerable individuals get an additional vaccine dose around a year after their last shot.
Other simple steps, like regular hand-washing, avoiding travel when feeling unwell, and wearing a mask in crowded places, are also advised for people at greater risk, especially in areas seen the rise in cases.
