Global Rise in COVID-19 Cases: New Variant in US, India Sees Over 1000 Active Cases, Asian Hospitals Overflowing.
Covid-Cases: The coronavirus has resurfaced globally. While India reported 752 new COVID-19 cases last week, the situation is worsening in the US and several Asian countries. A new variant, NB.1.8.1, has emerged in the US, raising concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a "Variant Under Monitoring" (VUM), indicating close observation.
India's COVID-19 Cases Exceed 1000
New COVID-19 cases in India are steadily increasing. 752 new cases were reported in the past seven days, pushing the active case count above 1000. States like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi are the most affected.
According to the Ministry of Health's report, patients' conditions are currently stable, but the situation is under constant surveillance. Experts suggest that changing weather patterns and new variants could lead to increased cases; therefore, wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and maintaining vaccination vigilance are crucial.
New Variant NB.1.8.1 in the US: Increased Airport Surveillance
Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have been detected among passengers arriving on international flights at major US airports, including those in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York. A report by the US CDC and its airport testing partner, Ginkgo Bioworks, states that this new variant developed due to rising cases in China and parts of Asia. According to the report, by May 2025, NB.1.8.1 had spread to several locations in the US. This variant is linked to the Omicron sublineage JN.1, and is also believed to be responsible for the rising cases in Asia.
Increased Hospital Crowds in Hong Kong and Taiwan
New coronavirus cases in Asian countries have also raised concerns. The number of hospital admissions and emergency room visits is rapidly increasing in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This has led to public advisories recommending mask-wearing. Furthermore, health departments are working to increase the stock of vaccines and antiviral medications to avoid resource shortages.
NB.1.8.1 Included in 'Variant Under Monitoring' Category
The World Health Organization has classified NB.1.8.1 as a SARS-CoV-2 Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) due to its rapid global spread. This means the variant is under special WHO surveillance. The variant was first reported in China, with the initial sample collected on January 22, 2025. The WHO declared it a VUM on May 23, 2025.
350 COVID-19 Deaths per Week in the US
According to CDC data, approximately 350 people in the US are still dying from COVID-19 each week. However, the infection rate has decreased compared to previous periods. But the rising cases of the new NB.1.8.1 variant naturally raise concerns about a potential resurgence of the severity of the situation.
