Dr. Deepak Sawant Urges Vigilance as New COVID Subvariant Spreads in Singapore and Hong Kong

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Health Minister Dr. Deepak Sawant has written to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging the state to step up its public health preparedness in light of a surge in COVID-19 cases across Southeast Asia. He highlighted the emergence of a new subvariant — NB.1.8, a sublineage of FL.7 — as a cause for concern, particularly due to its link to a recent spike in pneumonia-like infections in Singapore, Hong Kong, and parts of South India, including Kerala.

Notably, NB.1.8 is a descendant of the JN.1 variant, and Dr. Sawant suggested that this linkage should be confirmed through consultation with experts at the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Given the significant tourist traffic between Mumbai, Maharashtra, and international hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong during the holiday season, Dr. Sawant warned of an increased risk of transmission. Singapore alone has recently reported over 14,000 new COVID-19 cases, he said, stressing that the high floating population in such cities makes global spread more likely.

Dr. Sawant, who also headed the state’s Task Force on Malnutrition Eradication, expressed concern that the new subvariant may partially evade existing immunity, potentially leading to a surge in infections. He noted that Maharashtra’s current COVID-19 testing rate — around 10–12% — is inadequate, and urged authorities to scale up surveillance, particularly for international arrivals from high-risk areas.

“The public is no longer mentally prepared for isolation or quarantine. COVID-appropriate behaviours like mask-wearing and social distancing have largely been abandoned,” he said. Rather than inciting panic, Dr. Sawant advocated for a proactive revival of the state’s ‘Test, Track, Treat’ strategy.

With schools and colleges set to reopen in June, he issued a set of precautionary recommendations: Ramp up testing and surveillance, especially of symptomatic individuals visiting family doctors in both urban and rural areas, mandate mask usage in crowded public spaces, conduct genomic sequencing to track new mutations, hold regular consultations with the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for expert input and early warning and, closely monitor international arrivals, particularly from countries witnessing a surge in cases.

“This is not a call for panic, but for precaution,” Dr. Sawant emphasised. “Preparedness today can prevent disruption tomorrow.”

He concluded by appealing to the state government to issue fresh guidelines and initiate a public awareness drive to help contain any possible outbreak. “The use of face masks in crowded public places should be made mandatory. These matters require immediate attention. I hope that you and the Chief Minister will take prompt action,” he wrote.