Mild But Moving Fast: Doctors Urge Caution, Not Fear, Amid Covid Spike
Health experts have reassured the public that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases should not spark alarm, as current infections remain mild despite being highly contagious. According to Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chair of the National IMA Covid Taskforce, the circulating variants are descendants of the JN.1 strain, which triggered a global spike in 2024 but had minimal impact in India. “What we’re witnessing now is a faster-spreading virus, yet hospitalisations are rare and recovery typically occurs within 3–4 days,” he said.
India is currently detecting Omicron subvariants like XFG, NB.1.8.1, and LF.7 — all JN.1 offshoots — similar to those in other Asian countries. NB.1.8.1, notably, is behind the current surge in China and Hong Kong. International travel is also playing a role in the virus’s transmission.
Dr. Jayadevan emphasized staying vigilant instead of panicking, stating that ongoing viral mutations mean periodic waves will persist. “We are not seeing the severity associated with earlier strains like Delta. No major genetic shifts or changes in disease behavior have been observed since late 2021,” he noted. He also warned against the use of over-the-counter antibiotics and advised wearing masks in crowded indoor settings while avoiding unnecessary hospital visits.
Echoing this, Dr. Ravindra Mehta, senior pulmonologist in Bengaluru, described current cases as standard upper respiratory infections. “No Covid pneumonia has been reported so far. Most cases only need basic care. Immunocompromised individuals should remain extra cautious,” he advised.
Karnataka’s Health Mission has instructed labs to process all SARI case samples the same day and conduct 150–200 RT-PCR tests daily.
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