Why is coronavirus resurging?
The resurgence of COVID-19 in 2025 is attributed to several interrelated factors, both globally and within India.Here's an overview of the key reasons:
1. Emergence of New Variants
A significant contributor to the recent surge is the rise of the NB.1.8.1 variant, a descendant of Omicron JN.1. This variant has been spreading globally, with increased prevalence noted in regions such as the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Mediterranean . The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring due to its potential for increased transmissibility and immune evasion .
2. Waning Immunity and Reduced Booster Uptake
Immunity from previous infections and vaccinations diminishes over time. In Australia, for instance, only about 6% of the population received a COVID-19 booster in the past six months, raising concerns about vulnerability to new variants . This trend of declining booster uptake is observed in various regions, potentially contributing to increased susceptibility.
3. Seasonal and Behavioral Factors
In India, health experts suggest that the current surge is influenced by seasonal factors, such as extreme heat leading people to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, which can facilitate virus transmission. Additionally, diminishing immunity levels over time contribute to periodic increases in case numbers .
4. Global Increase in Test Positivity Rates
Globally, SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rates have risen to 11%, levels not seen since July 2024. This increase is primarily observed in countries within the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions.
5. Potential for New Zoonotic Spillovers
Scientists have identified a new coronavirus variant, HKU5-CoV-2, in bats in China. While not yet infecting humans, it's considered only a 'small mutation' away from becoming highly infectious among humans, underscoring the ongoing risk of zoonotic spillovers .
6. Public Health Measures and Fatigue
Over time, adherence to public health measures can wane, leading to increased transmission. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as "intervention fatigue," can result in reduced compliance with preventive measures, thereby facilitating the spread of the virus .
Current Situation in India
As of early June 2025, India has reported a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, with 4,302 active infections and nearly 300 new cases within a 24-hour period. States such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala are experiencing a steady rise in cases. The increase is attributed to variants like LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and notably the new subvariant NB.1.8.1 .
Recommendations
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Vaccination:Stay updated with COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses, especially if you're in a high-risk group.
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Preventive Measures:Continue practicing good hygiene, wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, and maintain physical distancing where possible.
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Stay Informed: Keep abreast of local health advisories and guidelines issued by health authorities.
What's precautions should one take?
To stay protected during the COVID-19 resurgence in 2025, here are precautions everyone should take, especially if you're in an affected region like India or around new variant hotspots:
🛡️ 1. Vaccination & Boosters
- ✅ Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses.
- 🧓 Especially important for elderly, pregnant women, and those with comorbidities (like diabetes, heart conditions, or asthma).
- 🧬 Even with variants like NB.1.8.1, vaccines offer protection against severe illness.
😷 2. Mask When Needed
- Use N95/KN95 or surgical masks:
- In crowded indoor spaces (malls, buses, markets).
- In healthcare settings or when visiting the elderly.
- Refrain from cloth masks unless layered properly.
🧼 3. Maintain Hygiene
- Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
- Use alcohol-based sanitizers (minimum 60% alcohol) when outside.
- Avoid touching your face, nose, or eyes with unclean hands.
↔️ 4. Social & Physical Distancing
- Avoid unnecessary gatherings, especially indoors.
- Keep at least 1 metre distance from others in public places.
🧭 5. Ventilation & Indoors
- Keep windows open and ensure cross-ventilation at home, workplace, and classrooms.
- Avoid staying in closed air-conditioned spaces for long without fresh air flow.
🩺 6. Monitor Symptoms & Act Early
- Watch for signs like:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell/taste
- Tiredness
- Get tested if symptoms appear.
- Isolate immediately if positive or showing symptoms.
🧘 7. Immunity & Mental Health
- Eat nutritious food, stay hydrated.
- Get adequate sleep and reduce stress.
- Practice meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises to strengthen mental well-being.
🧾 8. Follow Local Guidelines
- Adhere to updates from the Health Ministry, ICMR, or WHO.
- Don’t ignore travel advisories or testing requirements.
🚫 Bonus: Avoid Misinformation
- Only trust updates from official sources (e.g., WHO, MoHFW India).
- Don't share unverified messages or "WhatsApp forwards."
Previous Vaccination and booster dose of 2020 will work this time?
No, the COVID-19 vaccination or booster dose taken in 2020 or early 2021 will not provide sufficient protection now in 2025. Here’s why:
🧬 1. Immunity Wanes Over Time
- Scientific studies show that vaccine-induced immunity begins to decline within 6–12 months after the last dose.
- The protection against infection weakens significantly over time, though some protection against severe illness may remain longer.
🧬 2. Virus Has Mutated (New Variants)
- The coronavirus has mutated significantly since 2020 (Alpha → Delta → Omicron → JN.1 → NB.1.8.1 in 2025).
- The original vaccine was designed for the original Wuhan strain, not for today's variants.
- New variants like NB.1.8.1 may partially escape immunity from older vaccines.
💉 3. New Boosters Are Tailored for Current Variants
- Some countries have developed updated boosters targeting Omicron subvariants.
- Even if India doesn't yet have variant-specific boosters, recent general boosters still offer better protection than 2020 doses.
🩺 What You Should Do Now:
- ✔️ Check with a doctor or local health authority about current booster availability.
- ✔️ If it's been more than 12 months since your last dose, a new booster is strongly recommended.
- ✔️ Especially important for:
- Elderly
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers
- Pregnant women
🦠 Key Factors Behind the Surge:-
As of June 6, 2025, India has reported a total of 5,364 active COVID-19 cases, with four new deaths recorded in the last 24 hours. Kerala remains the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi.
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New Variants: The resurgence is attributed to sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant, notably LF.7 and NB.1.8.1, which are contributing to the increase in cases.
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Milder Symptoms: Current infections often present with symptoms similar to the common cold or flu, making detection and diagnosis more challenging.
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Seasonal Factors: Experts suggest that extreme heat is leading people to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, which may facilitate virus transmission.
🏥 Precautions to Consider
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Vaccination: Ensure your COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date, including booster doses if eligible.
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Hygiene Practices: Maintain regular handwashing and use of sanitizers.
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Mask Usage: Wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, especially if symptomatic.
The resurgence of COVID-19 in 2025 proves that the virus could not be completely eradicated in 2020, 2021, or 2022. Here's why:
🔬 1. COVID-19 Was Suppressed, Not Eradicated
- During 2020–2022, aggressive vaccination, lockdowns, and public health measures reduced case numbers globally.
- But COVID-19 was never officially declared eradicated — only controlled to a manageable level.
- The virus continued to circulate in pockets, often at low levels, especially where testing declined.
🔄 2. Virus Mutated and Persisted
- SARS-CoV-2 has shown a high mutation rate, like the flu.
- After Omicron (late 2021), multiple subvariants (BA.5, JN.1, NB.1.8.1) emerged.
- These newer versions can evade older immunity and cause new waves — even among previously infected or vaccinated individuals.
🌍 3. True Eradication is Extremely Rare
- Only one disease in history — smallpox — has been eradicated globally.
- For a virus to be eradicated, it must:
- Have no animal reservoir
- Show no significant mutations
- Be eliminated in all human populations simultaneously
- COVID-19 doesn’t meet these criteria, and may have animal reservoirs too.
🦠 4. COVID Is Becoming Endemic
- Most health experts now agree COVID-19 is shifting from a pandemic to an endemic disease.
- Like seasonal flu, it may resurge in waves, especially in winter or under favorable conditions.
- The goal now is control and management, not eradication.
🧠 What This Teaches Us:
- COVID is not a one-time event, but an evolving reality.
- Long-term strategies — like updated vaccines, global surveillance, and public awareness — are necessary.
- It reminds humanity to never underestimate a virus — and to always prepare for future outbreaks.
Again originated from China or all virtues are country local
Let’s explore both possibilities — whether the current COVID-19 resurgence originated again from China or if new variants are arising locally within countries, like India:
🧬 1. Did It Originate Again from China in 2025?
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In May 2025, scientists in China identified a new bat coronavirus called HKU5-CoV-2, related to MERS, that could potentially infect humans with just a small mutation.
- ➤ This virus has not caused the current COVID-19 surge — but it raises concerns for future pandemics.
- Source: India Times
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The current COVID-19 resurgence is due to mutations of Omicron (like JN.1 and NB.1.8.1), which did not newly originate in China — they evolved as natural global mutations of the existing virus.
🧬 2. Are Current Variants Country-Local? (Like India’s Case)
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Yes, many of the subvariants circulating in 2025 are arising and evolving locally in different countries:
- In India, the subvariants LF.7, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 have been detected.
- These are descendants of the JN.1 variant, which itself came from the Omicron lineage.
- Such variants emerge due to local transmission, immune pressure, and mutation.
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This is how RNA viruses work — they mutate inside human hosts while circulating:
- It’s like a virus learning to adapt to local immune conditions.
🌐 What’s Really Happening Globally?
| Variant Name | Origin (Likely/Reported) | Currently Affected Areas |
|---|---|---|
| JN.1 | Evolved from Omicron | Worldwide |
| NB.1.8.1 | Sublineage of JN.1 | India, Western Pacific, SE Asia |
| LF.7 / XFG | India-detected sublineages | India |
| HKU5-CoV-2 | Bats in China | No human infections yet |
🧠 Conclusion:
- ⚠️ The 2025 surge is not caused by a new virus from China — it’s due to existing COVID-19 mutating further around the world.
- ✅ Today, every country can be a source of new variants — not just China — because:
- COVID is not eradicated.
- RNA viruses mutate locally and rapidly.
- 🌍 So we must stay globally alert, not just look at one country.
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