As a new wave of COVID-19 sweeps through some areas of Asia, health authorities globally are becoming more cautious. Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand have reported an uptick in new cases. The cause of the rise is mainly attributed to the transmission of new Omicron subvariants, most notably JN.1 and its derivative strains. Healthcare authorities closely monitor this developing situation to address possible risks.
COVID-19 Cases Spiking in Asia
Dailies in Singapore rose sharply to more than 14,000 early in May 2025, from a high of 11,100 in late April. Hospitalizations have also risen, though intensive care unit (ICU) cases have decreased slightly. Authorities are quick to point out that there is no present evidence yet to indicate that these variants are more contagious or cause a more severe illness compared to earlier strains.
Experts attribute the increased cases of infections, in part, to waning immunity over time in populations. Experts forecast that regular waves of COVID-19 will keep happening. Presently, the predominant variants currently going around are LF.7 and NB.1.8, both progeny of JN.1. The two variants combined account for over two-thirds of the sequenced instances.
At the same time, India has not seen any major surge in COVID-19 cases. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are only 93 active cases as of May 19, 2025. In Mumbai, some physicians have reported a slight increase in mild cases, mainly among the young. But health officials reiterate that there is no sign of a new wave and recommend continued caution, particularly as nearby countries are experiencing surges.
What Is the COVID-19 JN.1 Variant?
JN.1 is a lineage of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant that was first identified in August 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated it as a Variant of Interest in December 2023. The variant has around 30 mutations—more than any other variant at the time—engineered to avoid the immune system. BA.2.86, however, did not emerge as the dominant strain in 2023 despite these mutations.
JN.1 originated from BA.2.86, with one or two mutations that advance its ability to transmit. It has the immune-evasion properties of its parent, but is more successful at spreading. Johns Hopkins University, a credible source of COVID-19 information, informs us that JN.1 is now the most prevalent variant of the virus in most regions of the globe.
In the 12th epidemiological week of 2025, JN.1 comprised a huge 93.9% of cases across the Western Pacific region, 85.7% in Southeast Asia, 94.7% in Europe, and 93.2% in the Americas.
Vaccine Effectiveness Against JN.1
Research indicates that JN.1 is more difficult for the immune system to fight. Vaccinated individuals or those with prior infection have fewer antibodies that can neutralise JN.1 than with previous variants, making it partially escape current immunity.
Luckily, the XBB.1.5 monovalent booster was created to protect against the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant aids in strengthening protection against JN.1. The WHO explains that the booster increases antibody levels and provides 19% to 49% protection against symptom occurrence due to JN.1, as per United States studies.
Multiple XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccines have been deployed globally, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax (both US, EU, Canada, Australia-approved mRNA vaccines), Novavax’s Nuvaxovid (protein subunit vaccine approved in the EU), and Zapomeran (Kostaive) of the self-amplifying mRNA vaccine approved in Japan and the EU.
In India, the Covovax XBB.1.5 monovalent booster is still the sole COVID-19 vaccine tailored specifically to address the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant.
Symptoms and Risks of JN.1
Symptoms due to JN.1 are very similar to those due to other variants of COVID-19. They include sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, dry cough, fatigue, headache, loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and vomiting. A few patients experience more severe fatigue and tiredness. Shortness of breath is still a critical symptom that needs urgent medical care.
Health authorities strongly advise individuals to remain vigilant, maintain vaccination, and pay close attention to signs as novel variants keep surfacing in the area.
How Harmful Is JN.1?
JN.1 is more contagious than previous variants of COVID-19 but does not lead to more severe disease. The majority of individuals infected with JN.1 have mild to moderate symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and cough. Severe cases are uncommon, and hospitalization has not been significantly affected.
Death rates attributed to JN.1 are still lower than in earlier waves of COVID-19, suggesting the decreased severity of the variant overall. Vaccines and boosters remain effective shields against severe illness. Thus, keeping up with vaccinations is key to minimizing risk and keeping transmission at bay.
