India sees sharp surge in Covid cases in 20 days; new variants detected across 29 states | Active count: 5,364
India coronavirus update: India is witnessing a significant resurgence of Covid-19, with active cases rising 58-fold over the past 20 days, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. On May 16, the country reported just 93 active Covid cases, but that number has now jumped to 5,364. The virus has resurfaced across 29 states and union territories, raising concern among health authorities and prompting renewed preventive measures.
In the last 24 hours alone, over 500 new infections were reported. Kerala leads the count with 1,679 active cases, followed by Gujarat (615), West Bengal (596), Delhi (592), and Maharashtra (548).
Since January, India has recorded 55 Covid-related deaths, 53 of which occurred in the past 15 days, underscoring the impact of emerging new variants. On Thursday, two more deaths were confirmed in Delhi, including a five-month-old infant. Additional fatalities were reported from Kerala (2 deaths), Karnataka (1), Punjab (1), and Maharashtra (17) — the highest among all states.
ICMR identifies 4 new Covid variants
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified four new Covid variants spreading across southern and western India: LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has not classified them as variants of concern, it has placed them under monitoring. According to Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, NB.1.8.1 contains mutations like A435S, V445H, and T478I, which may allow it to spread faster and evade existing immunity.
The JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron's BA.2.86, is currently the most prevalent strain in India, found in over 50% of tested samples, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sub-lineages (20%).
Despite its rapid spread, JN.1 is not associated with severe illness but may weaken immunity. The strain, which surfaced globally in August 2023, was declared a "variant of interest" by WHO in December 2023. Experts from Johns Hopkins University have noted that while JN.1 spreads easily, it generally causes mild to moderate symptoms. However, it may lead to long Covid, with symptoms lasting weeks after initial recovery.
COVID protocols across states
The Health Department has mandated hospitals to strictly follow Covid protocols issued in June 2023. All healthcare workers and patients are required to wear masks, and testing is compulsory for those exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
Maharashtra: The state has reported 17 Covid deaths since January, with 16 victims suffering from comorbidities. Of the 13,707 samples tested this year, 1,064 were COVID-positive.
Gujarat: Out of 508 active cases, 18 patients are hospitalised while 490 are in home isolation. The authorities assured the public that a rise in cases every 6–8 months is normal and not alarming.
Karnataka: The Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences has prepared a 25-bed Covid ward, including 5 ICU beds, 5 high-dependency unit beds, 5 for pregnant women, and 10 general beds.
Uttarakhand: The state government has issued directives to district authorities to ensure the availability of oxygen and essential medicines. Hospitals must also monitor influenza-like illnesses, severe respiratory infections, and Covid cases.
Sikkim: The Health Minister reported 15 positive cases out of 526 tests conducted since May 29. Hospitals are now enforcing mask mandates and sanitization protocols.
Himachal Pradesh: Following its first Covid case this season in Nahan (Sirmaur district) on June 3, the government has made mask-wearing mandatory in hospitals.
- With inputs from agencies
