Covid Comeback In India? As New Variants Drive Spike, Delhi, Kerala, Mumbai Step Up Prep – Updates
Covid Cases In India: The corona cases have started to increase once again after months of not-so-significant increases in numbers. According to INSACOG data, India has detected one case of the newly emerging COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 type. As of May 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as Variants Under Monitoring, not as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest. However, these are the variants that have reportedly driven the rise in cases of Covid.
Delhi reports 23 cases of Covid-19
The national capital has reported a total of 23 COVID-19 cases. The Delhi government has issued an advisory asking all the hospitals to prepare for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccines. This is the first time Delhi has reported COVID-19 cases after nearly three years.
Health Minister Pankaj Singh on Friday said that 23 COVID-19 cases have been reported till Thursday, and the government is verifying the details of whether patients are residents of Delhi or have a travel history outside the city.
These positive cases have been reported by private labs, and there is no need to panic, the health minister said, adding that the variant has normal influenza-like symptoms. The health condition of all the 23 covid patients is fine.
“We have already held meetings with hospital authorities and we are ready to deal with any kind of situation. The government has constituted a team of eight senior officers to monitor the situation,” the health minister told reporters as quoted by news agency PTI.
In terms of preparedness, hospitals and healthcare facilities have been placed on alert, and all necessary resources are being mobilised to ensure rapid response and care.
Kerala Reports 277 Covid Cases
Kerala Health Minister Veena George urged on Friday that all districts in the southern state increase Covid-19 surveillance, following an increase in cases across Southeast Asia. George said health officials must closely monitor for any increase in infections and take quick action.
In May, Kerala reported 273 Covid-19 cases, the minister said.
Karnataka Reports 35 Cases
Karnataka has also witnessed a slight increase in Covid cases, registering 35 infections. Among them is a nine-month-old baby from Hoskote.
Mumbai Reports Majority Of Covid cases In Maharashtra
Mumbai has reported 95 cases so far in May, accounting for the majority of the total covid infections in Maharashtra. Thane has also reported a total of 10 cases of Covid in the past three days. According to a release issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the affected patients showed mild symptoms and are undergoing treatment at home. The civic body has urged people not to panic and to follow precautionary measures.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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