With Covid-19 circumstances spiking once more throughout components of Asia, issues a few attainable new wave are rising. To assist clear the air, high medical doctors reply 15 of the most typical questions individuals have concerning the virus.
With a current rise in Covid-19 circumstances throughout components of Asia, India is seeing a recent uptick as effectively. In response to the Covid-19 dashboard by the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare, India at the moment has 257 energetic circumstances. States like Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have reported new circumstances, primarily as a result of Omicron variant JN.1 and its associated strains. Not too long ago, recognized personalities like cricketer Travis Head and actress Shilpa Shirodkar additionally examined constructive. This has led to rising issues and questions amongst individuals about whether or not this might result in one other wave.
Covid-19 circumstances in Asia
Nations comparable to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China have seen a noticeable enhance in Covid-19 circumstances over the previous few weeks. In Singapore, weekly circumstances jumped from 11,100 to 14,200 between April 27 and Could 3, 2025, as per the Ministry Of Well being Singapore. Thailand reported 33,030 circumstances between Could 11 and 17, with Bangkok alone accounting for round 6,000 circumstances. In Hong Kong, the proportion of circumstances doubled from 6.21 p.c to 13.66 p.c in simply 4 weeks. China additionally noticed circumstances greater than double by early Could. Specialists consider this rise is as a result of unfold of Omicron sub-variants, particularly JN.1 and its newer variations like LF.7 and NB.1.8.
Because the numbers go up, many individuals are frightened—might this be one other pandemic? To clear the confusion and fears, Well being Photographs interviewed a number of medical doctors—Dr Harish Chafle (a number one pulmonologist with 23 years of expertise), Dr Urman Dhruv (Sr. Advisor Inner Drugs with 30 years of expertise), Dr Amit Nabar (famend emergency medication physician with 20 years of expertise) and Dr Anita Mathew (Director-Inner Drugs with 17 years of expertise)—to reply a few of the most typical questions on Covid-19.
1: What’s the new Covid-19 variant (JN.1) and what are its signs?
Dr Harish Chafle: The JN.1 variant is a sublineage of Omicron BA.2.86, is thought to have roughly 30 mutations, and is spreading shortly. JN.1 has been related to a current rise in Covid-19 circumstances throughout India, notably in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, and in Asia. The signs that one can expertise are dry cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, runny or congested nostril, fever, and notably, diarrhea. Most circumstances are delicate, however the susceptible inhabitants (these with comorbidities and most cancers sufferers, senior residents, pregnant girls, and youngsters) needs to be extra cautious. Seek the advice of an skilled as soon as the signs seem.
2: Is the JN.1 variant harmful?
Dr Harish Chafle: Although the circumstances are rising, this variant has not led to any extreme issues comparable to breathlessness, dying, or hospital admissions. The circumstances are delicate, and one can get better with supportive care. The therapy can be resting, consuming sufficient fluids, and checking the SPO2 ranges infrequently. Nevertheless, watch out and take the mandatory precautions.
3: Do the Covid-19 vaccines defend towards new variants?
Dr Urman Dhruv: Sure, it offers safety however at current, there isn’t any advice for booster doses in India.
4: How does Covid-19 unfold?
Dr Amit Nabar: Coronavirus spreads when an contaminated particular person breathes out droplets and really small particles that include the virus. Different individuals can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on somebody’s eyes, nostril, or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets might contaminate the surfaces they contact. Anybody contaminated with the virus can unfold it, even when they don’t have any signs. Covid-19 may even unfold from individuals to animals in some conditions, although it’s uncommon.
5: Do I nonetheless have to get examined for Covid-19 if I’m vaccinated?
Dr Urman Dhruv: Sure, it’s best to nonetheless get examined. Even in case you are vaccinated, it’s attainable to catch the virus, although signs are normally milder. Vaccines assist scale back the severity, however they don’t provide full immunity. So, should you develop flu-like signs, it’s safer to get examined.
6: What’s ‘lengthy Covid-19’? Can kids be affected?
Dr Urman Dhruv: Lengthy Covid is a situation the place some signs proceed even weeks after recovering from Covid. These can embrace tiredness, shortness of breath, low power whereas strolling, and blood clotting points. It normally lasts for six to 12 weeks. Youngsters beneath 12 are much less more likely to get it, whereas adults with respiration issues and people who smoke are at increased threat.
7: How can I defend myself and others from Covid-19?
Dr Amit Nabar: To guard your self and others from the virus and different respiratory viruses, you will need to observe these confirmed prevention steps:
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- Get vaccinated: Keep updated with Covid-19 vaccines and boosters to cut back the chance of extreme sickness.
- Apply hand hygiene: Wash your arms often with cleaning soap and water for at the least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when cleaning soap shouldn’t be out there. Keep away from touching your face with unwashed arms.
- Enhance indoor air high quality: Guarantee correct air flow by opening home windows or utilizing air purifiers.
- Keep house when sick: In case you are experiencing respiratory signs, keep house and relaxation to stop spreading sickness to others.
- Put on a masks: Put on a well-fitted masks, particularly in crowded or indoor public settings
- Search therapy early: When you check constructive for Covid-19 and are at excessive threat for issues, seek the advice of a healthcare supplier promptly about antiviral remedies.
- Preserve bodily distance: Hold a secure distance from others in public, significantly if they’re coughing or sneezing.
8: Ought to I put on a masks to guard towards Covid-19?
Dr Urman Dhruv: Sure, at any stage of illness transmission, at present or after a number of months or years, a masks stays the only real safety to stop Covid an infection. Additionally, hold a secure distance, particularly from those that are symptomatic, and keep away from crowded locations.
9: Is it secure for a mom to breastfeed if she is contaminated with Covid-19?
Dr Anita Mathew: Sure, breastfeeding throughout Covid-19 is secure as a result of the virus has not been present in breast milk, so it is rather unlikely to unfold by breastfeeding. Nevertheless, moms ought to take precautions like carrying a masks and washing their arms earlier than feeding to keep away from passing the virus by droplets.
10: What ought to individuals with HIV find out about Covid-19?
Dr Anita Mathew: Sufferers with HIV wouldn’t have the next threat of contracting coronavirus in comparison with these with out HIV. Nevertheless, in the event that they get contaminated with Covid-19, then the probabilities of illness or an infection development and protracted illness or extreme sickness enhance by 30-35 p.c. Sufferers with HIV who’ve been vaccinated have a decrease threat of creating extreme diseases. People with a low CD4 T lymphocyte rely should be extra cautious as they’re extra susceptible to severe issues on account of decreased ranges of immunity within the physique.
11: How does Covid-19 have an effect on the sense of style and odor?
Dr Harish Chafle: Covid-19 is thought to wreck the cells supporting olfactory neurons, resulting in a sudden lack of odor (anosmia) and style (ageusia). The virus inflames nasal tissues, disrupting indicators to the mind, and one could have a lack of odor and style. These signs could also be current for at the least 7-10 days and will go away on their very own when one recovers.
12: Can I catch Covid-19 from my pet?
Dr Amit Nabar: There isn’t any proof that may show animals unfold SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, to individuals. There have been a number of uncommon stories of contaminated mammalian animals spreading the virus to individuals throughout shut contact. These circumstances embrace farmed mink in Europe and the USA, white-tailed deer in Canada, pet hamsters in Hong Kong, and a cat in Thailand. In most of those circumstances, the animals had been believed to have been contaminated first by an individual who had a virus.
13: Is there something I ought to keep away from to remain secure from Covid-19?
Dr Amit Nabar: To remain secure from Covid-19, keep away from crowded or poorly ventilated locations, shut contact with people who find themselves sick, and touching your face with unwashed arms. Restrict pointless journey throughout spikes. Keep away from ignoring signs like cough, fever, or fatigue—get examined should you really feel unwell. Additionally, don’t skip security measures like carrying a masks in public, sustaining distance, and holding your arms clear with cleaning soap or sanitizer.
14: How can I inform whether it is Covid-19 or only a chilly?
Dr Harish Chafle: Covid-19 and customary chilly share signs like runny nostril and cough, however coronavirus usually consists of fever, lack of style or odor, physique aches, diarrhoea, muscle ache, and fatigue. Testing is probably the most dependable solution to distinguish between them. Do the check as advisable by the skilled to verify the analysis.
15: Does smoking make Covid-19 worse?
Dr Harish Chafle: In response to varied research, smoking worsens the coronavirus by damaging the lungs and weakening the immune system. People who smoke usually tend to expertise extreme coronavirus signs, want hospitalization, and face issues like pneumonia that may flip life-threatening. Quitting smoking can enhance lung well being and scale back the issues of Covid-19.
