JN.1 Variant Fuels COVID Surge in Singapore and India
A new wave of COVID-19 cases is sweeping through parts of Asia, with Singapore and India reporting significant increases driven by the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron strain. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health, weekly infections soared to 25,900 between May 5 and 11, a 90% jump from the 13,700 cases recorded the previous week. In India, the Union Health Ministry reported 257 active cases as of May 19, all classified as mild, with heightened surveillance to monitor the situation.
The JN.1 variant, labeled a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization in December, is behind the surge, with its subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8 accounting for over two-thirds of sequenced cases in Singapore. Health officials note that while JN.1 may spread more easily due to its roughly 30 mutations, there is no evidence it causes more severe illness compared to earlier variants. Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told that the current wave is expected to peak between mid- and late June.
Symptoms of JN.1 infections resemble those of previous strains but include some distinct features. Common signs include cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Less frequent but notable symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, brain fog, conjunctivitis, and, in rare cases, loss of taste or smell. Experts attribute the surge to waning immunity, as protection from prior vaccinations or infections fades over time.
Severity remains low for most cases, with India reporting no increase in hospitalizations or deaths. In Singapore, hospitalizations have risen by 30%, but the Ministry of Health emphasizes that the variants do not appear more virulent. High-risk groups, including the elderly and immunocompromised, are urged to stay up to date with booster shots. The latest vaccines in Singapore target JN.1 and its subvariants, though these are not yet available in India.
Health authorities are reinforcing preventive measures to curb the spread. Recommendations include wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, practicing regular hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and staying home when unwell. Vaccination remains a cornerstone of protection, with current vaccines effective against severe outcomes from JN.1, as confirmed by the World Health Organization.
In India, Dr. Vikas Maurya, Senior Director at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, told that a similar spike could occur due to declining antibody levels, mirroring trends in Hong Kong and China. The Union Health Ministry continues to advocate for vigilance, with ongoing monitoring to detect any changes in the virus’s behavior.