No cause for concern: New Omicron variants have not caused severe infection

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.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

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.