India is currently witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases driven by new sub-lineages of the virus. However, according to top Indian biologist Dr. Vineeta Bal, these emerging variants are not causing severe illness or deaths on the scale seen during earlier waves like Delta in 2021.

Dr. Bal, a former scientist at the National Institute of Immunology, explained that widespread vaccination and natural infections have created strong community-level immunity across the country. This immunity helps reduce the severity of disease, even as the virus continues to evolve and spread.

Dr. Bal noted that the current Covid-19 wave differs greatly from the 2021 Delta wave when the virus was new to most immune systems. Back then, the lack of prior exposure led to widespread severe illness and major public health challenges. Today, many people have either been vaccinated or infected, which has significantly altered the body’s response to the virus.

She compared Covid-19 to seasonal influenza now new variants emerge regularly but serious outcomes are largely limited to high-risk groups such as the elderly or those with chronic health issues. Although the new variants spread more easily, they are not causing large-scale severe disease, meaning there is no immediate cause for panic.

Dr. Bal emphasized that protecting vulnerable populations remains important and advised maintaining standard health precautions while adapting to living with Covid as an endemic virus. Other experts like Dr. Randeep Guleria and Dr. Rajiv Bahl also echoed the sentiment that Covid is transitioning into an endemic phase with mild severity overall.