WHO: GLOBAL COVID-19 CASES ARE INCREASING AS NEW VARIANT EMERGES
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a global rise in COVID-19 cases, with the test positivity rate climbing to 11%, a level not seen since July 2024.
Coinciding with this uptick of cases is the emergence of a new variant known as NB.1.8.1, a descendant of Omicron, which has been classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).
Since it was first identified earlier this year, cases have been reported in several countries, particularly in travelers from China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
In China, NB.1.8.1 has become the dominant strain and is linked to increasing emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
According to Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control, NB.1.8.1 shows strong immune-evasion capabilities, making it more transmissible than earlier variants.
Despite the surge in nearby countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, where some schools have returned to online learning, the Philippines’ COVID-19 situation remains stable, according to local health authorities.
While the WHO continues to assess the global public health risk as low, and current vaccines are expected to remain effective, everyone is encouraged to stay alert, practice good hygiene, and take precautions to protect their health.
