NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global warning as COVID-19 test positivity rates have climbed to 11%, marking the highest level recorded since July 2024. The rise in cases is being driven by new variants and increasing transmission in several regions, especially in South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Western Pacific.

According to WHO, the surge began around mid-February when the positivity rate stood near 2%. Since then, countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand have seen a steep increase in infections, leading to renewed public health protocols, including symptom-based isolation, targeted testing, and booster vaccination drives for high-risk individuals.

Experts attribute the rise partly to the spread of new variants such as NB.1.8.1, which are showing signs of increased transmissibility. While most regions in Africa, Europe, and the Americas continue to report low test positivity (around 2–3%), WHO emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, booster awareness, and hygiene measures.

Health authorities have also stressed that a positivity rate above 5% indicates that the virus is spreading widely and testing may not be comprehensive enough.

The WHO has urged countries to stay alert, improve surveillance, promote booster uptake, and maintain transparency in sharing data about emerging variants and public health responses.