A new wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the highly transmissible JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron, is spreading across Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled JN.1 a “variant of interest”, noting no evidence so far that it causes more severe illness, according to news reports.
Key highlights by country include:
Singapore — weekly cases rose from 11,100 to 14,200; hospitalizations up by 30%, no new restrictions, but weekly updates resumed after a year.
Hong Kong — 1,042 new cases, highest positivity rate in a year at 11.4%; 31 deaths, mostly elderly with pre-existing conditions.
Thailand — cases jumped to 33,030 from 16,000 in one week; surge followed Songkran festival; booster vaccinations are advised.
China — positivity in flu-like cases rose from 7.5% to 16.2%; hospitalized cases increased from 3.3% to 6.3%.
India’s Status — No outbreak yet; only 257 active cases as of now; enhanced surveillance at international airports.
Travel Advice — no travel bans issued, but high-risk individuals (elderly, chronically ill) are advised to avoid travel to affected areas.
Recommended safety measures — wear masks in crowds; sanitize hands regularly; avoid contact with symptomatic individuals, get booster shots before traveling
While most cases remain mild, officials urge caution and preparedness as the situation evolves.
