New Delhi: India has reported a sharp surge in active COVID-19 cases, with the national tally climbing to 3,395 as of Saturday, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry. Kerala accounts for the highest number of active infections at 1,336, followed by Maharashtra (467) and Delhi (375).
The data shows a rapid increase in active cases over the past 10 days — from 257 on May 22 to 1,010 by May 26, and now more than tripling to 3,395. In the last 24 hours alone, the country recorded 685 new infections and four deaths, one each from Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
Other states with notable active caseloads include Gujarat (265), Karnataka (234), West Bengal (205), Tamil Nadu (185), and Uttar Pradesh (117), the ministry said.
Health officials said the surge is being closely monitored but stressed that the symptoms remain largely mild and most patients are recovering at home. “There is no reason to worry,” officials told news agency PTI, adding that hospitalizations remain low.
Dr. Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said genomic surveillance indicates the spike is linked to subvariants of the Omicron strain.
“Four subvariants of Omicron—LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1—have been detected, with LF.7, XFG, and JN.1 appearing more frequently,” Behl said. “We are closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, we should be vigilant, but there is no cause for alarm.”
India has largely returned to normalcy after battling multiple COVID-19 waves since 2020, but health authorities continue to advocate for basic precautions and vaccination, especially among vulnerable populations.
