Asia’s COVID surge: should you be worried? all you need to know about JN.1 strain

Updated on May 21, 2025 10:32 pm IST

COVID-19 is back in the headlines, but how serious is it this time? Asia is witnessing a fresh spike in cases, with hospitals in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand seeing rising admissions. The culprit? A fast-moving variant called JN.1. In this episode of Grey Zone, we break down what this new variant actually is, why it’s spreading so quickly, and whether India is at risk of another surge. Are our vaccines still effective? Should you be worried if you’ve had COVID before? And what does the new WHO pandemic treaty mean for the next global outbreak? We also speak to Dr. Subramanian Swaminathan, one of India’s top infectious disease experts, to separate fact from panic. This isn’t about fear—it’s about clarity.

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