Remember the beginning of the COVID pandemic, when people used to disinfect their deliveries, celebrate Zoom birthdays, and learn to smile with their eyes? Those days may seem long gone, but COVID is far from being a historical footnote. In 2025, the virus remains a presence in our lives, although not in the same frightening manner as before. So, what’s going on? Is COVID-19 making a comeback, or did it ever truly leave?
Let’s explore the views of global health experts and see how they will shape our living, work-life, and social interactions in the future.
What’s With the Sudden Spike in Cases?
In May 2025, a surge in COVID-19 cases began to make headlines in countries such as India and parts of Southeast Asia, prompting widespread panic and concern that another wave of the deadly virus was on the way. However, experts were quick to intervene with assurance.
Dr. Shashank Joshi, a renowned endocrinologist of India, claimed in a recent interview that the present subvariant is like Omicron’s great-grandchild, familiar, spreading rapidly, but comparatively mild. He highlighted that it’s nothing to worry about.
Similarly, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former vice president of the Indian Medical Association, noted that the surge wasn’t surprising. Immunity declines over time, and seasonal shifts, such as people spending more time indoors with recirculated air, can increase the transmission of the virus. However, according to him, this is not a new or dangerous virus.
Yes, there has been an increase in cases. But, no, it’s not time to restock your pantry.
COVID in 2025: Still Present, But Not as Dangerous
We’re not reliving 2020, but COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared completely. Instead, it has become a consistent, controllable aspect of our lives. Boston University’s School of Public Health claims that COVID is now classified as an endemic virus, which means it’s sticking around but at more predictable and usually controllable levels.
Dr. Ellie Murray, a professor of epidemiology at BU, compares it to the flu: “We can’t eliminate it, but we can handle it with the correct tools.” And those tools, such as vaccines, testing, masking, and adequate ventilation, have undergone significant evolution in the past few years.
So, we’re no longer in a crisis. Nonetheless, just like the cold and flu season, COVID waves can come and go, mainly during colder or busier seasons.
The Rise of Variants
COVID isn’t staying the same, even as it continues to spread. Like a viral shape-shifter, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve into new variants. Subvariants of the Omicron lineage, like LP.8.1, LF.7, NB.1.8, and XFC, have been causing small waves of infection in various regions in recent months.
The good news? These more recent virus strains appear to be less deadly, but they seem to be more transmissible. According to a 2025 BBC article, researchers have discovered that our immune systems, strengthened by vaccinations and past infections, are more skilled at identifying and fighting off these variants.
Despite a higher prevalence of reinfections, especially as immunity drops, hospitalizations and deaths have remained relatively low. The worst is behind us for the time being, but that doesn’t mean we’re totally off the hook.
Long COVID: The Persistent Problem
While most COVID cases nowadays are mild, the long tail of the disease, called Long COVID, remains a serious public health concern. An estimated 5–10% of COVID patients may experience symptoms lasting for months, including exhaustion, brain fog, and respiratory problems.
While researchers continue to study the causes of this, the conclusion is clear: even if acute cases are milder, their consequences can be long-lasting. This emphasizes the importance of reducing the spread, even in 2025.
Consequently, even though the terror of ventilators and lockdown is gone, a call for prudence is still recommended, particularly for those at risk of long-term complications.
Covid Vaccines
Vaccines remain our best defense. From 2025, the latest versions of COVID-19 vaccines will be updated annually, just like the flu vaccines, to keep up with emerging variants. mRNA technology has enabled vaccine makers to adjust formulas more frequently and quickly within months of detecting a new variant.
Experts suggest staying up to date, especially if you’re over 60, have a weak immune system, or have long-lasting conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Most states now offer combination vaccines for flu and COVID-19, simplifying the vaccination process.
Public health officials have also made a significant effort to address vaccine hesitancy and exhaustion, highlighting that updated boosters offer customized protection against new variants.
Adapting to the Pattern After the Pandemic
The way we approach COVID has shifted from urgency to sustainability. Public health experts now emphasize long-term strategies, such as:
- Annual or biannual boosters – particularly for high-risk groups of people.
- Better indoor air quality – hello, HEPA filters, and improved HVAC systems.
- Smarter testing – such as quick at-home tests and wastewater monitoring.
- Individual accountability – being aware of when to mask up, isolate, or get tested.
These tactics are similar to those that we follow during flu season. We don’t panic every year when flu cases increase, but we do take safety measures. And this is becoming the model for COVID, too.
Countries such as the U.S., the UK, and India are leading the way in integrating COVID-19 into the broader healthcare system. Hospitals have dedicated COVID wards, and primary care providers are better equipped to handle chronic COVID-related issues.
Is COVID Back?
Theoretically, it never left. What’s changed is how we react.
Think of it this way: COVID isn’t a tornado anymore; it’s the continual weather. Occasionally, it’s stormy (a spike in cases) and sometimes quiet (summer lulls), but we know when to carry an umbrella.
Yes, there are more cases currently compared to a few months ago, and more new variants have emerged. But rest assured, this isn’t a repeat of March 2020. Vaccines are effective. Treatments such as antivirals and monoclonal antibodies are available. Besides, public awareness is also high.
Keep Calm and Be Smart
The world is no longer in the COVID crisis phase, but it’s not in denial either. The virus has infiltrated our lives, much like the flu or the common cold. It’s something we handle now, not something we’re afraid of.
So, is COVID back? Perhaps. But more precisely, it never entirely left.
What matters now is how we live with it: smartly, peacefully, and with compassion for those who are weak. The best way to keep yourself and those around you safe is to get your booster, wash your hands, and keep a mask handy for packed subways or stuffy airplanes. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, but we’re more equipped than ever to keep it in check.
So, keep yourself informed. Stay safe and relax!
