There is an increase in the number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases or vector –borne diseases getting admitted to hospitals during the monsoonal rains – especially during May – June and December – January in the country. It is the seasonal rhythm of illness, not the apocalypse.
But recently, some rather enthusiastic fear mongers have taken it upon themselves to assign every respiratory-related death to Covid-19. Boldly, and often with no medical backing, they have even begun tossing around terms like JN.1 and NB.1.8.1 in public forums, as if “fluency” in viral genomics qualifies them to bypass the Ministry of Health.
For the record, these names refer to sub-lineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and yes, viruses evolve. That is quite literally what they do. The extent to which any particular variant poses a threat to public health is a matter for virologists, epidemiologists, and clinicians—not YouTube influencers or opportunistic mask vendors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the virus—formerly known as 2019-nCoV—continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, shifts in global variant dynamics were observed. These are highly technical findings from trained professionals, not armchair scientists armed with a Facebook page.
There is also the commercial angle. It would not be Asia without a few enterprising souls trying to sell masks, sanitisers, or mysterious “immunity boosters” while citing entirely fabricated WHO warnings. Creating panic, it seems, is just another marketing strategy.
Health authorities said the public should not panic over these technical nomenclature used by unauthorised individuals. There is no Covid-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, but there seems to be an uptick in some other countries. These cases are not as severe as the global Covid-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020. On May 5, 2023, the WHO declared an end to Covid-19 as a global Public Health Emergency, though the virus continues to circulate endemically.
Occasional cases
To be clear, there is no Covid-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka. There are occasional cases, as there are in many other countries, but nothing remotely close to the pandemic levels we saw beginning in March 2020.
As Consultant at the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, said, “there seems to be more stories about the virus spreading than the virus itself.”
When asked whether any recent Covid-19-related cases had been reported, Dr. Liyanapathirana said that hospitals are seeing a range of common seasonal illnesses: pneumonia, influenza, dengue, and chikungunya. There have been sporadic Covid-19 detections too—just as there have been over the past three years—but no outbreak-level activity.
While there is no surge or spread of new Covid-19 (Coronavirus) variants in Sri Lanka, the authorities are not asleep at the wheel. The Ministry of Health, along with regional epidemiology units and research institutes, have been instructed to stay vigilant. Surveillance continues for all public health threats—not just Covid-19, but dengue, influenza, and chikungunya as well.
“We are monitoring the situation of all viruses that can impact public health,” Dr. Liyanapathirana said.
So before falling for the next “urgent” social media message claiming a new killer variant is here—usually accompanied by a link to buy masks in bulk—take a breath. Just not near anyone coughing, of course.
The WHO reported a global increase in Covid-19 activity, including in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region. Recent data shows an upward trend in influenza activity in Sri Lanka, with rising case counts and test positivity. However, there is no significant surge in Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, according to Health Ministry Epidemiologists and WHO reports.
Covid-19 in other counties
As of early June 2025, India and Thailand are experiencing notable surges in Covid-19 cases, prompting public health responses tailored to their situations. India has reported over 5,300 active Covid-19 cases as of June 6. Since January, there have been 55 deaths, primarily among those with pre-existing conditions.
Health experts said that Covid-19 is transitioning into an endemic phase in India, with the virus showing milder effects over time. The recent surge is attributed to seasonal factors, such as extreme heat leading people to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, and diminishing immunity levels. The authorities are conducting mock drills to assess facility-level preparedness. Hospitals such as the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai have proactively set up isolation wards as a precaution.
Thailand has also experienced a substantial increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, with over 28,000 new cases reported over two days (June 1–2). Bangkok and the Chonburi Provinces have been the most affected as the cumulative total for 2025 stands at 323,301 cases, with 69 deaths. A variant called the XEC is currently circulating in Thailand, which is noted for its high transmissibility but causes mild symptoms, similar to the flu. This is reflected in the low hospitalisation rate, with many patients recovering on their own without medication.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) in Thailand continues to monitor the situation closely. While there is no need to suspend classes or work due to infection, the public is urged to stay cautious and follow health measures, according to reports from Thailand.
The variant, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in over 22 countries, including the US, UK, Thailand, and the Maldives. It is noted for its high transmissibility, though current data suggests it does not cause more severe illness than previous strains.
The WHO recently issued a warning over NB.1.8.1, designating it as a “variant under monitoring” due to its global spread and key mutations. Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where the NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.
The variants NB.1.8.1 and JN.1 have reportedly been detected in Sri Lanka. The patients had recovered on their own, and no deaths have been reported due to them.
Since the WHO officially declared an end to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the disease has been treated as endemic—circulating alongside other common respiratory infections. As with other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 continues to undergo genetic mutations during transmission. In 2024, a sub-lineage of a previously known variant has been widely reported in several countries—and has now been detected in Sri Lanka as well.
Testing conducted by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) in May 2025 confirmed the presence of these known sub-lineages. Health authorities emphasise that these are not new variants and, crucially, there is no evidence of increased severity or complications associated with them.
Low prevalence
According to Sri Lanka’s Respiratory Surveillance System, 3 percent of respiratory specimens tested for SARS-CoV-2 in 2024 returned positive results, peaking at 9.6 percent in May that year. So far in 2025, the average positivity rate remains around two percent, with a slight uptick currently being observed.
Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the health authorities have noted increases in reported Covid-19 cases in May 2024 and again in May 2025.
The WHO has cautioned that no definitive conclusions can yet be drawn about future transmission patterns, with ongoing research and surveillance still under way.
The seasonal rise in respiratory infections is not unusual, particularly during this time of year and under current climatic conditions. Influenza and other viral illnesses tend to follow similar patterns.
Officials call upon the public to remain calm and continue to follow basic health precautions. Mask use has not been made mandatory and is entirely voluntary. While experiencing fever or mild respiratory symptoms is not in itself a cause for hospital admission, anyone with difficulty breathing should seek medical attention promptly.
Maintaining respiratory hygiene remains vital in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and other airborne infections. Recommended practices include covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing, frequent hand-washing or use of alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoiding contact with the face using unclean hands. Those with symptoms are encouraged to wear a face mask and avoid crowded public places unless absolutely necessary.
Special care is advised for high-risk groups, including older adults, pregnant women, and infants, as well as those with weakened immune systems. People with chronic conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are particularly vulnerable to any respiratory disease and should take additional precautions.
