The bloodthirsty demon that is Covid-19, which has claimed the lives of 7 million people globally, remains etched in our collective memory. Sri Lanka, too, bore the brunt of this catastrophic pandemic, with 17,000 lives lost. Originating five years ago, the virus swept across the globe over a span of two years, plunging countries into crisis. While time has since brought a sense of recovery, the aftershocks linger—side effects from various vaccines and long-term illnesses have emerged, particularly affecting the respiratory systems of many. This is unsurprising, given Covid-19’s primary impact on respiratory health.
Why revisit this painful chapter now? Because a deeply troubling development has come to light—one that is once again shaking the global health community. In recent days, alarming reports from multiple countries indicate that Covid-19 is making a comeback. This resurgence has been officially confirmed by a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO), reigniting fears that had slowly begun to fade.
While sporadic reports of Covid-19 cases have surfaced over the years, the current situation is significantly more concerning. According to the WHO’s 2025 report, the virus is now re-emerging as a global pandemic. Disturbingly, the report confirms a rising death toll reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic.
From January 6 to May 25, 2025—a period of just 142 days—206,279 Covid-19 cases have been reported across 100 countries. In that same period, 4,500 deaths have been attributed to the virus. These numbers indicate a highly alarming trend, suggesting the return of a global health crisis.
The focus now shifts to the variant behind this new wave. Commonly known as Covid-19, the virus is scientifically referred to as SARS-CoV-2. Over the past five years, various strains—Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron—have emerged. Today, we face a new variant: ‘Nimbus’, officially designated as NB.1.8.1.
According to WHO data, this variant has been circulating globally for approximately four months. It was first detected in China and has since spread rapidly, primarily through international travel. Asia has been identified as the region most affected by this new strain, with several Asian countries reporting a rise in cases. Notably, Sri Lanka reported its first cases of the Nimbus variant about three weeks ago. Until then, the island had remained unaffected by this latest mutation.
Global health reports indicate that while the Nimbus variant may not exhibit the same severity as the original pandemic strain, it still poses a significant threat—particularly to young children and the elderly. Despite claims that vaccines may not be necessary for this variant, medical professionals strongly caution against underestimating its impact, especially in light of the 4,500 deaths recorded so far.
India, our closest neighbor, has become one of the hardest-hit countries in recent weeks. Over the past two months, the country has reported approximately 8,000 cases of the Nimbus variant, with around 100 new cases emerging daily. Tragically, about 75 individuals—mostly elderly—have died due to the virus. These statistics raise serious concerns for Sri Lanka, given the close geographical and economic ties between the two nations.
In light of these developments, Sri Lanka must remain vigilant. Although the current strain may appear less aggressive, the rapid spread and increasing death toll are stark reminders of how swiftly the situation can escalate. Public awareness and health preparedness are essential as the world once again confronts the looming shadow of Covid-19.
Priyantha Hettige
