Try GOLD - Free
No cause for concern: New Omicron variants have not caused severe infection
The New Indian Express Vellore
|May 27, 2025
AFTER a recent spike in new infections in several Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand, Covid-19 is back in the news.
AFTER a recent spike in new infections in several Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand, Covid-19 is back in the news. Thickly-populated cities in these countries have reported at least a 30% rise in new cases and hospitalization, with China and Thailand grappling with fresh outbreaks.
What has pressed the panic button is that despite relative stability in previous years, this new wave is being experienced in a season when respiratory viruses usually subside. People, particularly high-risk individuals, in Singapore have been asked to wear masks in crowded areas and seek medical attention only when necessary. Hong Kong and Thailand are also seeing a steady increase in hospitalizations and have reissued masking advisories.
According to reports, the rise in new Covid infections coincides with school holidays, summer travel, and festivals, which lead to increased crowding in airports, malls, and public places. A key factor contributing to the current wave is waning immunity. Health experts and epidemiologists, however, attributed this surge to new sub-variants of Omicron like LP.8.1, LF.7, and NB.1.8, along with changes in public behavior and seasonal travel trends.
This story is from the May 27, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Vellore.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Vellore
The New Indian Express Vellore
BIHAR LEADERS FACE YOUTH TEST
WITH the Bihar election campaign gaining steam, the spotlight is increasingly focused on three key factors—the caste calculus, alliance chemistry and women’s vote—that past elections have highlighted.
3 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
Rural women's participation in workforce high
25 Bhairav Light Combat Battalions likely to get ready within six months
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
NE MONSOON RAIN BRINGS DOWN TN POWER DEMAND
WITH the northeast monsoon bringing heavy rainfall, the state’s power demand has dropped over the past few days.
1 mins
October 23, 2025

The New Indian Express Vellore
Punjabi singer shot at in Canada, gangster’s aides claim responsibility
PUNJABI singer Teji Kahlon was shot at in Canada and associates of gangster Rohit Godara claimed responsibility for the attack.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
'India conceals, Trump reveals,' says Cong on US Prez's Russian oil claims
THE Congress on Wednesday used a phone call from White House greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Deepavali to take a swipe at the Centre. The attack came after US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that India is “not going to buy much oil from Russia”.
1 min
October 23, 2025

The New Indian Express Vellore
A tribute: Naroditsky touch in chess lessons
FOR over two weeks in Singapore at the World Championships last November and December, GM Daniel Naroditsky had inadvertently become my eyes and ears.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
Four die in separate wall collapse incidents due to heavy rain in 3 districts
A woman and her daughter died after a wall of their house collapsed near Puduchathiram in Chidambaram taluk of Cuddalore district early on Wednesday.
1 min
October 23, 2025

The New Indian Express Vellore
Raj student doing MBBS in Russia goes missing, family alleges foul play
A 24-year-old student from Kafanwada village in Laxmangarh, Alwar district, has gone missing in Russia under mysterious circumstances. Ajit Singh, son of Roop Singh Chaudhary, was pursuing an MBBS degree at the Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia, and has not been seen since around 11 pm on October 19. His mobile phone has been switched off since then.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
PSG score seven, Barca hit six on a goal-filled night
PARIS Saint-Germain scored seven, Barcelona hit six and Erling Haaland struck his 24th goal of the season on an actionpacked night in the Champions League.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Vellore
MINDFUL METROPOLIS
Here are five options to experience and explore Singapore's spiritual culture and way of living...
3 mins
October 23, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size