India has witnessed a significant rise in active Covid-19 cases, with infections jumping from 1,010 on May 26 to 2,710 by May 30, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Kerala has emerged as the worst-affected state, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi.
The latest figures reveal that Kerala has registered 1,147 active cases, Maharashtra 424, Delhi 294, and Gujarat 223. Tamil Nadu has recorded 148 cases, while Karnataka also has 148 and West Bengal 116.
Other states showing relatively lower case counts include Rajasthan (51), Uttar Pradesh (42), Puducherry (25), Haryana (20), Andhra Pradesh (16), Madhya Pradesh (10), Goa (7), and Odisha, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, each reporting four cases. Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh have reported three cases each. Mizoram and Assam have reported two cases each.
As of now, no active Covid cases have been reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, or Himachal Pradesh. Data from Bihar has yet to be released.
So far this month, seven fatalities linked to Covid-19 have been reported. Maharashtra has recorded two deaths, and one death each has been reported from Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu. Health officials noted that all of the deceased, except for the individual in Punjab, were senior citizens with pre-existing health conditions.
Despite the rise in cases, officials have stated that the current wave appears to be mild and manageable.
“The public need not worry about this new variant of Covid-19. We just need to be vigilant. The government and all the agencies are watching what is unfolding. According to me, the basic precautions should be taken. We are not talking about enhanced precautions right now. But if someone is a cancer patient or has immunity problems, then we generally advise them to avoid any infection. Precautions need to be taken,” said Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Most current infections are attributed to the JN.1 variant, which accounts for 53% of sequenced cases, followed by BA.2 at 26%, and other Omicron-related sublineages at 20%, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
However, new and highly transmissible variants have started to appear. At least one case of the NB.1.8.1 variant and four cases of the LF.7 variant have been reported. Both LF.7 and NB.1.8 have been labeled as Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs) by the World Health Organisation. While not classified as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest, these strains are believed to be contributing to rising case numbers in China and other parts of Asia.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain cautious but not alarmed, especially those with underlying health issues.