Mumbai: A fresh surge in Covid-19 infections is sweeping across parts of Asia, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand experiencing a sharp spike in cases linked to the fast-spreading Omicron subvariant JN.1. Health experts and officials across the region are sounding alarms as the new wave fuels hospitalisations and public health concerns.
In Singapore, the Ministry of Health has reported a 28% week-on-week rise in cases, with 14,200 new infections recorded in the week ending May 3, up from 11,100 the week prior. Daily hospital admissions have surged by 30%, prompting the government to raise health alert levels and urge the public to wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Hong Kong has also seen a noticeable spike in Covid-19 activity. According to Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Centre for Health Protection, the positivity rate in respiratory samples has reached a one-year high. “The current levels are quite high,” Au said, as 31 Covid-related deaths and a rise in severe hospitalised cases were reported in a single week — both the highest in the past year.
Though India remains relatively unaffected for now, the Union Health Ministry has confirmed 257 active cases as of May 19, a slight uptick in recent weeks. In response to the rise in infections across nearby countries, Indian health authorities have intensified surveillance measures and urged citizens to remain vigilant, particularly in urban centres and high-risk groups.
What is the JN.1 Variant?
The JN.1 subvariant is part of the Omicron lineage, specifically evolving from BA.2.86 (also known as Pirola). First detected in late 2023, it has rapidly spread to countries including the US, UK, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. JN.1 carries a unique mutation in its spike protein, enhancing its ability to infect human cells and possibly evade existing immunity from vaccines or past infections.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated JN.1 as a “variant of interest”, meaning it is under close monitoring due to its rapid spread, though there is no current evidence that it causes more severe illness.
How Dangerous Is It?
Most JN.1 infections present with mild to moderate symptoms, including sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, and fatigue — similar to earlier Omicron waves. However, due to its high transmissibility, the subvariant poses a risk to elderly individuals, immunocompromised patients, and those with chronic conditions.
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