The Resurgence of COVID-19
Even in 2025, COVID-19 has not come to an end. Countries that are popular travel destinations for South Koreans – including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand – are reportedly seeing a new wave of COVID-19 infections. On May 21, the South China Morning Post reported that 30 people had died from COVID-19 in just the past four weeks. What makes this particularly concerning is not just the number of infections, but the number of reported deaths.
In China, about 16% of those who visited hospitals with respiratory symptoms were confirmed to have COVID-19. Considering there are people who didn’t even get tested, the actual numbers are likely higher. Analysts say that China’s recent Labor Day holiday period, which many used to travel and gather, may have contributed to the sharp increase in cases.
The situation in Taiwan appears to be even more severe. Reports indicate that the number of COVID-19 patients requiring emergency care has nearly doubled in just one week – from 10,000 to almost 20,000. Thailand, however, is experiencing an even higher number of cases, with confirmed infections surpassing 30,000.
Given that countries across Southeast Asia are seeing tens of thousands of new cases, it’s easy to anticipate a rapid surge – something we are all too familiar with. In Korea, too, COVID-19 may be spreading more quietly than expected. With no mandatory testing and the symptoms now closely resembling those of the common cold, people are not actively seeking out COVID-specific treatment anymore.
There have been no public health campaigns or advisories from authorities about renewed vaccination efforts or precautions against the recent rise in infections. Unless the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) takes action ahead of the upcoming presidential election, it may appear that the current administration is continuing the outdated and sluggish policies of the past. If we start seeing a rise in critical cases or deaths from COVID-19, responsibility will lie squarely with the Yoon administration and the public health officials who chose complacency.
Is There a New Variant?
The JN.1 variant and its related sub-lineages, which belong to the Omicron family, are believed to be the main drivers of the recent COVID-19 surge across Asia. According to Singapore health authorities, new variants LF.7 and NB.1.8 – descendants of the JN.1 strain – are spreading rapidly.
JN.1 is a descendant of the BA.2.86 subvariant of Omicron. The World Health Organization (WHO) has currently classified JN.1 as a “variant of interest,” not yet a “variant of concern.” WHO has also assessed that the global public health risk posed by JN.1 remains low.
Symptoms and Indicators of the JN.1 Variant
Most individuals infected with the JN.1 variant experience mild upper respiratory symptoms. Commonly reported symptoms include:
Fever
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Extreme fatigue
Muscle weakness
Exhaustion
Mild gastrointestinal issues
In some cases, individuals may also experience loss of appetite and persistent nausea. Fortunately, these symptoms tend to be mild and usually improve within 4 to 5 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment