With Covid-19 instances spiking once more throughout components of Asia, considerations a couple of doable new wave are rising. To assist clear the air, prime docs reply 15 of the commonest questions individuals have concerning the virus.
With a latest rise in Covid-19 instances throughout components of Asia, India is seeing a contemporary uptick as nicely. In accordance with the Covid-19 dashboard by the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare, India at the moment has 257 energetic instances. States like Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have reported new instances, primarily because of the Omicron variant JN.1 and its associated strains. Lately, recognized personalities like cricketer Travis Head and actress Shilpa Shirodkar additionally examined optimistic. This has led to rising considerations and questions amongst individuals about whether or not this might result in one other wave.
Covid-19 instances in Asia
International locations similar to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China have seen a noticeable improve in Covid-19 instances over the previous few weeks. In Singapore, weekly instances 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 instances between Could 11 and 17, with Bangkok alone accounting for round 6,000 instances. In Hong Kong, the share of instances doubled from 6.21 p.c to 13.66 p.c in simply 4 weeks. China additionally noticed instances greater than double by early Could. Specialists consider this rise is because of the 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 apprehensive—might this be one other pandemic? To clear the confusion and fears, Well being Pictures interviewed a couple of docs—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 drugs physician with 20 years of expertise) and Dr Anita Mathew (Director-Inner Drugs with 17 years of expertise)—to reply among the commonest 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 understood to have roughly 30 mutations, and is spreading shortly. JN.1 has been related to a latest rise in Covid-19 instances 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 instances are gentle, however the susceptible inhabitants (these with comorbidities and most cancers sufferers, senior residents, pregnant girls, and kids) needs to be extra cautious. Seek the advice of an knowledgeable as soon as the signs seem.
2: Is the JN.1 variant harmful?
Dr Harish Chafle: Although the instances are rising, this variant has not led to any extreme problems similar to breathlessness, dying, or hospital admissions. The instances are gentle, and one can get better with supportive care. The therapy could 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 shield towards new variants?
Dr Urman Dhruv: Sure, it provides safety however at current, there is no such thing as a suggestion for booster doses in India.
4: How does Covid-19 unfold?
Dr Amit Nabar: Coronavirus spreads when an contaminated individual breathes out droplets and really small particles that comprise 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 could 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 if you’re vaccinated, it’s doable to catch the virus, although signs are often milder. Vaccines assist scale back the severity, however they don’t supply full immunity. So, if you happen to 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 embody tiredness, shortness of breath, low power whereas strolling, and blood clotting points. It often lasts for six to 12 weeks. Youngsters underneath 12 are much less prone to get it, whereas adults with respiratory issues and people who smoke are at greater danger.
7: How can I shield 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:
- Get vaccinated: Keep updated with Covid-19 vaccines and boosters to cut back the danger of extreme sickness.
- Follow hand hygiene: Wash your arms ceaselessly with cleaning soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when cleaning soap isn’t 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 residence when sick: In case you are experiencing respiratory signs, keep residence 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: If you happen to take a look at optimistic for Covid-19 and are at excessive danger for problems, seek the advice of a healthcare supplier promptly about antiviral remedies.
- Keep bodily distance: Maintain a protected 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 couple of months or years, a masks stays the only real safety to stop Covid an infection. Additionally, preserve a protected distance, particularly from those that are symptomatic, and keep away from crowded locations.
9: Is it protected for a mom to breastfeed if she is contaminated with Covid-19?
Dr Anita Mathew: Sure, breastfeeding throughout Covid-19 is protected 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 a better danger 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 improve by 30-35 p.c. Sufferers with HIV who’ve been vaccinated have a decrease danger of creating extreme diseases. People with a low CD4 T lymphocyte depend must be extra cautious as they’re extra susceptible to severe problems as a result of decreased ranges of immunity within the physique.
11: How does Covid-19 have an effect on the sense of style and scent?
Dr Harish Chafle: Covid-19 is understood to wreck the cells supporting olfactory neurons, resulting in a sudden lack of scent (anosmia) and style (ageusia). The virus inflames nasal tissues, disrupting alerts to the mind, and one may have a lack of scent and style. These signs could also be current for a minimum of 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 couple of uncommon reviews of contaminated mammalian animals spreading the virus to individuals throughout shut contact. These instances embody farmed mink in Europe and the US, white-tailed deer in Canada, pet hamsters in Hong Kong, and a cat in Thailand. In most of those instances, the animals have 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 protected from Covid-19?
Dr Amit Nabar: To remain protected 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 if you happen to 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 typically consists of fever, lack of style or scent, physique aches, diarrhoea, muscle ache, and fatigue. Testing is probably the most dependable technique to distinguish between them. Do the take a look at as beneficial by the knowledgeable to substantiate the prognosis.
15: Does smoking make Covid-19 worse?
Dr Harish Chafle: In accordance with 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 problems like pneumonia that may flip life-threatening. Quitting smoking can enhance lung well being and scale back the problems of Covid-19.
