Covid-19 cases rising in Asia: Top doctors answer 15 common questions about coronavirus
With Covid-19 instances spiking once more throughout components of Asia, issues a few potential 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 instances throughout components of Asia, India is seeing a recent uptick as effectively. In accordance with the Covid-19 dashboard by the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare, India at the moment has 257 lively instances. States like Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have reported new instances, 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 instances in Asia
Nations equivalent to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China have seen a noticeable enhance in Covid-19 instances over the previous few weeks. In Singapore, weekly instances jumped from 11,100 to 14,200 between April 27 and Might 3, 2025, as per the Ministry Of Well being Singapore. Thailand reported 33,030 instances between Might 11 and 17, with Bangkok alone accounting for round 6,000 instances. In Hong Kong, the proportion 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 Might. Consultants imagine 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 nervous—may 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. Guide Inner Medication with 30 years of expertise), Dr Amit Nabar (famend emergency medication physician with 20 years of expertise) and Dr Anita Mathew (Director-Inner Medication with 17 years of expertise)—to reply a number of 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 thought to have roughly 30 mutations, and is spreading shortly. JN.1 has been related to a current 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 ladies, and youngsters) must 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 equivalent to breathlessness, demise, or hospital admissions. The instances are gentle, and one can recuperate with supportive care. The remedy could be resting, ingesting sufficient fluids, and checking the SPO2 ranges occasionally. Nonetheless, 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 is no such thing as a advice 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 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, you must nonetheless get examined. Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s potential to catch the virus, although signs are normally milder. Vaccines assist cut back the severity, however they don’t supply full immunity. So, in the event you develop flu-like signs, it’s safer to get examined.
6: What’s ‘lengthy Covid-19’? Can youngsters 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 vitality whereas strolling, and blood clotting points. It normally lasts for six to 12 weeks. Youngsters underneath 12 are much less more likely to get it, whereas adults with respiration issues and people who smoke are at increased danger.
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, it is very important comply with these confirmed prevention steps:
- Get vaccinated: Keep updated with Covid-19 vaccines and boosters to cut back the danger of extreme sickness.
- Apply hand hygiene: Wash your arms ceaselessly with cleaning soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when cleaning soap will not be accessible. 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: If you’re 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 remedy early: Should you check constructive for Covid-19 and are at excessive danger for problems, seek the advice of a healthcare supplier promptly about antiviral remedies.
- Keep bodily distance: Preserve 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 the moment or after a number of months or years, a masks stays the only safety to stop Covid an infection. Additionally, preserve 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 extremely unlikely to unfold by way of breastfeeding. Nonetheless, moms ought to take precautions like sporting a masks and washing their arms earlier than feeding to keep away from passing the virus by way of droplets.
10: What ought to individuals with HIV find out about Covid-19?
Dr Anita Mathew: Sufferers with HIV wouldn’t have the next danger of contracting coronavirus in comparison with these with out HIV. Nonetheless, in the event that they get contaminated with Covid-19, then the possibilities 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 danger of creating extreme diseases. People with a low CD4 T lymphocyte depend should be extra cautious as they’re extra susceptible to critical problems because 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 may have a lack of odor and style. These signs could also be current for a minimum of 7-10 days and should 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 instances embrace farmed mink in Europe and america, white-tailed deer in Canada, pet hamsters in Hong Kong, and a cat in Thailand. In most of those instances, 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 in the event you really feel unwell. Additionally, don’t skip security measures like sporting a masks in public, sustaining distance, and protecting 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 essentially the most dependable strategy to distinguish between them. Do the check as beneficial by the knowledgeable to substantiate the analysis.
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 cut back the problems of Covid-19.
