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Corona Update: Cases rising in India; check out dos and don'ts 

The COVID-19 cases have been increasing in India and across Asia. In the last couple of weeks, Hong Kong and Singapore have recorded a significant number of cases. 

"The virus is quite active," said Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection. Meanwhile, health authorities in Thailand, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong have requested people to take new booster vaccinations.

Is this JN.1 variant?

This increase in Covid-19 instances throughout Asia is believed to be caused by the JN.1 variant and its related offspring, which are members of the Omicron family.

New variants, LF.7 and NB.1.8, which are offspring of the JN.1 variant, are spreading quickly, according to Singapore health authorities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the JN.1 strain of COVID-19 as a "variant of interest" in December 2023 after it was initially discovered in August 2023. t is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant. According to WHO, there are roughly 30 mutations in the JN.1 variation.

Corona cases in India

At present, there are 257 cases reported in the country as of May 19, 2025, as per official data. 

The highest number of cases is reported in Kerala (69) since May 12, followed by Maharashtra (44) and Tamil Nadu (34). Karnataka (8), Gujarat (6), Delhi (3), and one case each in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim are among the other states that have reported new infections.

2 Covid-related deaths reported in Maharashtra

Maharashtra has reported two Covid-related deaths since January this year, the state health department has said, adding that the two were patients with comorbidities.

According to the health department, a total of 6,066 swab samples have been examined for coronavirus since January, of which 106 tested positive for the infectious disease. Of these, 101 were from Mumbai and the remaining from Pune, Thane, and Kolhapur. Currently, 52 patients are undergoing treatment for mild symptoms, while 16 are being treated at hospitals.

Here is a list of dos and don'ts

Dos

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue paper or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands with soap.
• Avoid public places in case of fever, cough, and cold.
• Get proper sleep.

Don'ts

• Avoid contact with people who have a cold, fever, and cough.
• Don't reuse tissue paper.
• Don't shake hands.

With inputs from agencies