After Hong Kong, Singapore, coronavirus cases resurface in India too; 53 COVID-19 cases reported in…; how serious is the threat?
COVID-19, an unprecedented event, shook the world and compelled nations to rethink public health systems. During 2019 and 2020, habits like using hand sanitizers, wearing masks, and staying indoors became a normal part of daily life. In India, the country was hit by the first and second waves of COVID-19, leading to strict lockdowns and major changes in how people lived and worked. Recently, COVID-19 has once again gained attention due to a rise in cases in several parts of Asia, including cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Earlier on Monday, Actor Shilpa Shirodkar took to her Instagram account and stated that she has tested positive for COVID-19. “Hello people! I’ve been tested positive for COVID. Stay safe and wear your masks!,” Shilpa wrote, urging people to take precautionary measures as a new wave of COVID-19 has emerged in several countries. Recently, Australian cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Travis Head also contracted COVID-19.
According to a report by The Times of India, more than 90% of Maharashtra’s COVID-19 cases this year have been reported in the month of May. Between May 12 and May 18 alone, the state recorded 53 cases. Since January, Maharashtra has reported a total of 87 cases. Notably, there have been no deaths linked to COVID-19 so far this year. The report further mentioned that the number of new COVID-19 cases has raised the positivity rate in Maharashtra. Last year, it was very low, but in May it jumped to 12%, up from 0.6% in April. So far in May, 673 people were tested, and 80 tested positive. Out of these, 24 have already recovered.
According to recent health data, all the new COVID-19 cases have come from Mumbai. On Monday, the health department shared that there are currently at least 53 COVID patients currently in home isolation.
In Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases, prompting health officials to advise caution and vigilance. According to Nation Thailand, in the week ending May 3, Hong Kong reported 31 severe COVID-19 cases, marking the highest number in the past 12 months. In Singapore, the Ministry of Health reported a 28% rise in COVID-19 cases for the week ending May 3, with around 14,200 infections, up from 11,100 in the previous week. Hospital admissions related to the virus also went up by about 30%.
Dr. Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection was quoted as saying, “After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of Covid-19 in every six to nine months.” He further stated that it is expected that the level of active COVID-19 cases will stay at its highest for at least the coming few weeks.
Earlier on May 19, 2025, experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief Division (EMR), Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and central government hospitals, under the chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services, concluded in a review meeting that the current COVID-19 situation in India is under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 — a very low figure considering the country’s large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required. The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR. The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.
According to media reports, the increase in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia is mainly driven by the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant. The WHO states that the JN.1 variant has about 30 mutations, with LF.7 and NB.1.8 being the two most common subvariants recently reported.
According to the AajTak report, cases of the JN.1 variant were also detected in India in early January 2024. Recently, the rise in cases in Singapore and Hong Kong has been linked to the same variant. However, it is not yet clear which variant is causing the recent cases in Mumbai.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that JN.1 is a sub-variant of BA.2.86 with an extra mutation and spreads rapidly, which is why everyone needs to stay cautious. After a case of the JN.1 sub-variant was found in Delhi in January 2024, AIIMS advised people to be very careful about certain symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.
Experts say that symptoms of COVID-19 may vary due to different variants, especially since many people in India have already received vaccine doses, including boosters. Symptoms can differ based on an individual’s immunity and overall health, reported AajTak. The CDC, in a report on December 8, 2023, discussed the JN.1 strain and stated that the severity of JN.1 symptoms depends on a person’s immunity and overall health.”
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