The Union Health Ministry reports a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in India, with active cases reaching 257 nationwide as of May 19th. This uptick, the highest in the past year with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu reporting the most cases, has prompted health authorities to intensify surveillance, especially given the recent surge of infections in regions like Singapore and Hong Kong.
The increase in COVID-19 infections in Singapore and Hong Kong is being attributed to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants, which are both offshoots of the JN.1 variant. While India has yet to officially confirm its spread, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The chairpersonship of the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has held a meeting with experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Central government hospitals.
Understanding the JN.1 Variant
Identified in August 2023, JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this variant possesses almost 30 mutations that enhance its ability to evade the immune system—more than any other variant in circulation when it was first discovered.
In early May 2025, Singapore reported a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, with infections increasing from around 11,100 in the last week of April to about 14,200 in the first week of May—a 28% surge in just one week. Hospitalisations also rose by approximately 30% during the same period.
Hong Kong reported 1,042 Covid-19 cases in the week ending May 10, up from 972 cases the previous week. The city has seen a steady rise in infections since early March, when weekly cases stood at just 33, according to the Hong Kong government.
The governments in both Singapore and Hong Kong are closely monitoring the situation and have asked people to get vaccinated and follow Covid-19 protocols.
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