New Delhi, May 23, 2025 – COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise in parts of Asia, with health departments in Singapore and India confirming that the highly transmissible JN.1 subvariant is contributing to the surge.
The variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron, has been labelled a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization due to its rapid spread. However, no evidence currently suggests that JN.1 causes more severe illness than previous strains.
In Singapore, daily hospital admissions linked to COVID-19 have jumped nearly 30% over the past week. Indian authorities have also reported 257 active cases nationwide, with Kerala (69 cases), Maharashtra (44), and Tamil Nadu (34) accounting for the majority. Most cases remain mild and manageable.
Symptoms linked to the JN.1 variant are similar to those seen with previous Omicron variants, including sore throat, fatigue, cough, headache, and in some cases, diarrhea.
Despite the rising numbers, medical experts maintain that existing vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe illness. The health ministry has urged the public to follow standard safety measures, including mask use in crowded areas and updated vaccinations.
Officials confirm they are monitoring the situation closely and will issue updated advisories as necessary.
