By Sushant Agarwal
Published on | May 22, 2025
India reports 257 active Covid-19 cases as of May 19, 2025 — the highest in a year. Govt monitoring situation amid global variant surge.
Most active cases are reported from Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, states known for previous spikes and vigilant health surveillance.
Singapore and Hong Kong are witnessing Covid surges driven by LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, both offshoots of the broader JN.1 coronavirus variant.
JN.1, a descendant of Omicron BA.2.86 found in Aug 2023, gained mutations that boost spread and help it evade immunity better than earlier variants.
JN.1 has about 30 immune-evasive mutations, including one in the spike protein. It outpaces 2023 variants, but full impact is still under study.
Symptoms like other Covid variants: dry cough, loss of taste/smell, headache, sore throat, fever, fatigue. JN.1 may cause more diarrhea.
Indian authorities say Covid is under control with low active cases, mostly mild, rare hospitalizations, thanks to health measures and vaccines.
A review meeting involving top health bodies like the NCDC and ICMR emphasized ongoing surveillance and preparedness against potential outbreaks.
No official JN.1 cases in India yet, but govt is closely monitoring due to its rise in nearby regions.
NO! Cases in Singapore and Hong Kong are mostly mild, with no rise in deaths. Authorities see no evidence the new variants cause more severe illness.
Get updates from reliable sources like govt sites and trusted news. Avoid unverified info to prevent panic and misinformation.