Covid 19 cases surge across India, number rises to 250: Is it the time to get vaccinated again

Covid 19 is back! Yes, after creating mayhem in the world from 2019-2022, the virus is seeing a gradual return to Asia with Singapore and Hong Kong recording the maximum number of cases in the last few weeks. Closer home, the country saw two Covid related deaths in Mumbai last week, both of whom also had comorbidities along with Covid 19. While the disease is still endemic, and (for now) poses no immediate threat according to the government, what is this new variant, and what makes it different from the rest? Let's dig deeper...

As of now, India has reported 257 active Covid-19 cases nationwide. The rise is modest but noticeable compared to the very low numbers seen in recent months. The states most affected are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, which together account for over 85% of the active cases. Kerala tops the list with 95 active cases, Tamil Nadu has 66, and Maharashtra 56.

Other states reporting new or existing cases include Delhi (23), Puducherry (10), Karnataka (13), Gujarat (7), Rajasthan (2), Haryana (1), Sikkim (1), and West Bengal (1). Since May 12, India has recorded 164 new cases, with Kerala seeing the biggest jump of 69 fresh infections, followed by Maharashtra (44) and Tamil Nadu (33).

Fortunately, most of these cases are mild and do not require hospitalization. The total number of recoveries remains high, with over 4.45 crore people recovered since the pandemic began, and the death toll stands at around 5.33 lakh.

Experts explain that Covid-19, like many viral illnesses, tends to flare up periodically after quiet phases. One main reason is the natural decline in population immunity over time, known as immune contraction. Antibody levels wane gradually, making people susceptible to reinfection even if they were previously infected or vaccinated.

Another factor is increased international travel, which facilitates the spread of new virus variants across borders. The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to mutate, producing new sub-variants that can partially evade immunity developed against earlier strains. This immune evasion allows the virus to infect people again despite prior protection.

The current surge in India and other parts of Asia is linked to the JN.1 variant and its descendants, which belong to the Omicron family. This variant is a descendant of the BA.2.86 sub-variant and has been classified by the World Health Organization as a "variant of interest," meaning it is being closely watched but is not yet considered a major threat.

In Singapore and Hong Kong, sub-variants LF.7 and NB.1.8, related to JN.1, are driving the spike in cases. These variants have genetic changes that help them spread more easily and evade existing immunity.

Most infections with the JN.1 variant cause mild symptoms similar to a common cold or mild flu. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, and sometimes minor stomach issues like nausea. Symptoms usually last about four to five days and improve without serious complications.

In India, the current cases are mostly mild, with no unusual severity or high mortality reported. Health experts emphasize that while reinfections can occur, severe illness is less common, especially in vaccinated individuals.

Doctors advise that people should not panic but remain vigilant and take simple precautions to reduce the risk of infection. Recommended measures include:

Wearing masks in crowded or indoor places, especially if feeling unwell

Practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently

Isolating and wearing masks if infected to prevent spread to family and friends

Experts compare the current behavior of the virus to seasonal flu, suggesting that Covid-19 may become a recurring illness with periodic waves. Vaccines remain effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalizations, even if they do not always prevent infection entirely.

Most importantly, all of us have to stay calm in such a situation