Back to 2020, when Dr. Sushila Kataria, Senior Director of Internal Medicine at Sushila Kataria, Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon, along with 14 Italian tourists, were asked to treat with suspected Kovid -19, he and his team quickly set up a special separation ward. It marked the beginning of India’s long battle with viruses. The first wave in September 2020 was at its peak, mainly affecting the elderly, before January 2021. But the worst was yet to come. The second wave starting in March 2021 destroyed the nation. Targeting the lower respiratory tract, it seriously gave birth to lung complications and overwhelmed the healthcare system. India recorded the highest number of cases globally during this period. While experts spoke of herd immunity, it was a massive suffering that defined that stage.

“There was not much known then. Fear, uncertainty and no roadmap,” she remembers. But it is really in such moments that we turn to doctors for clarity and that is why we have Dr. Talked to Kataria again, now Kovid is coming in the headlines once again.

What do we know about the new version jn.1?

“This is a light version,” Dr. Kataria says. “It can spread, but not wild – and it is not causing serious illness.”

Is your hospital test for Covid? Have you seen a case?

“We were not doing testing recently, but now the screening has increased,” she says. “So far, we have not found a single positive case. But anyone with a serious flu is being tested for upper respiratory infection. It is about monitoring this level.”

Is JN.1 A new version in India?

“No, it was also around last year-we were not just doing enough tests. Countries like Singapore are sharing real-time data because they are aggressively tested. We are not. It is very likely that we saw high-class flu infections in December 2024, actually Kovid, but we did not confirm it.

Should people be vaccinated again?

“So far, I do not have an urgent need. People are fighting well infection, meaning immunity – although old – still helping. But we need a combined flu and covid vaccine. It is in the tasks, but the number of less cases has progressed at a slow pace.”

What about nose vaccines?

“Nasal vaccines are more efficient. They activate a strong immune response in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Which helps reduce viral shedding and transmission.”

What should people do right now?

“Hospitals should resume the covid test for respiratory diseases. Monitoring is important,” Dr. Kataria says. “At an individual level, follow hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. There are no boosters recommendations from Indian authorities yet. Let’s wait for guidance from ICMR. Most waves pass lightly – but we should be alert and be ready.”