After seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, India too, has been seeing a surge in Covid cases, especially in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Although the total number of cases is still low compared to earlier waves, health officials are watching the situation closely.Mumbai reports new casesMumbai has seen 95 new Covid-19 cases just in May. This is a big jump compared to the 106 cases reported from January to April in the whole state of Maharashtra. At least 16 patients are currently in hospitals.Covid-19 remains endemic, but mostly mildEven though the World Health Organization said the pandemic was over in May 2023, Covid-19 continues to spread around the world. In India, most new cases are mild.

Health experts suggest that people, especially the elderly, pregnant women, and those with health problems, should start following basic safety steps again. These include wearing masks indoors, washing hands often, and avoiding crowded places when possible.

Two fast spreading variantsThe sudden surge is being driven by two fast-spreading sub variants—OF.7 and NB.1.8—both of which are descendants of the JN.1 lineage, itself a subvariant of the Omicron strain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a “variant of interest” due to its rapid transmission, though it has not been labeled a “variant of concern," at least for now. Its descendants, LF.7 and NB.1.8, are now under global observation.What’s driving the sharp spike?The sharp increase in cases is primarily linked to increased transmissibility of these sub variants and a gradual waning immunity in the population.

This means that while everyone has had got covid at some point in their life, that immunity is now decreasing naturally.This shift in variant dominance has led to a 28% rise in infections in Singapore during the week ending May 3, 2025. Similarly, Hong Kong has observed a significant increase in cases, with COVID-19 test positivity jumping from 6.21% to 13.66% over a four-week period, indicating rapid spread of these variants.

Experts say the rise is also influenced by reduced protection from prior infections or vaccinations, increased social mixing, and relaxed preventive behavior. Seasonal effects may also play a role in amplifying transmission during certain periods.How is this variant different?So far, the symptoms linked to LF.7 and NB.1.8 remain consistent with other Omicron sub variants. These include:Sore throatMild coughFatigueFeverInterestingly, the loss of taste and smell, reported in other variants of Covid (especially the Delta one, which caused the devastating 2nd wave of Covid in India in early 2021), is not being seen in this variant, till now.Health authorities across the region report that most cases remain mild, especially among vaccinated individuals. However, older adults and those with underlying health conditions remain more vulnerable to complications.Vaccine is still the best protectionTo mitigate the spread, the Ministry of Health recommends that high-risk groups, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, receive booster vaccinations.

Additionally, the public is advised to practice standard precautions, including mask-wearing in crowded places, regular handwashing, and staying home when unwell.

How Can You Protect Yourself?Protecting yourself against Covid means going back to the basics. This includes:Get vaccinated: Vaccines continue to protect against severe illness.Wear masks in crowded or indoor places: Using masks in high-risk settings are important.

This reduces the chance of catching or spreading the virus.

Practice good hand hygiene: Wash hands regularly with soap or use sanitizer.Avoid close contact with sick people: If you feel unwell, stay home and seek medical advice.Stay informed: Follow updates from reliable health authorities about local COVID-19 trends and guidelines.