logo
Active Covid-19 Cases In India Cross 3,000 Mark; 4 Deaths Reported So Far

Active Covid-19 Cases In India Cross 3,000 Mark; 4 Deaths Reported So Far

News182 days ago

Last Updated:
Kerala accounted for the highest number cases with 1,336 active infections, while Maharashtra came second with 467 cases. Four deaths have been reported so far.
The total number of active Covid-19 cases in India has breached the 3,000-mark, along with four deaths reported in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
According to the latest data, India now has a total of 3,395 active cases. Kerala has accounted for the highest number of cases with 1,336 infections, while 467 cases have been reported in Maharashtra. The national capital has also reported 375 fresh infections, while Gujarat has 265 active cases.
West Bengal has recorded 205 cases, Tamil Nadu 185 and Uttar Pradesh has recorded 117 active cases so far. A total of 1,435 patients have been discharged so far.
In a statement, officials stressed that most cases are mild and reiterated that there is no need for public panic. The department assured citizens that adequate testing and treatment infrastructure is in place across the state.
India is witnessing a rise in fresh Covid-19 cases. Active cases rose from 257 on May 22 to 1,010 by May 26 and reached 3,395 today. In the last 24 hours, 685 new cases have been reported and four people have died, according to the data.
Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Rajiv Behl, on Monday said that genome sequencing of samples in the west and south has shown that the variants fuelling the current rise in cases are not severe and are subvariants of Omicron.
First Published:
May 31, 2025, 21:01 IST

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

No 2020-Like Repeat Of Covid-19, Influenza A Bigger Risk: Ex-WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan
No 2020-Like Repeat Of Covid-19, Influenza A Bigger Risk: Ex-WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan

News18

time35 minutes ago

  • News18

No 2020-Like Repeat Of Covid-19, Influenza A Bigger Risk: Ex-WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan

Last Updated: Addressing fears of another catastrophic wave, Swaminathan said periodic surges—roughly every 6-8 months—are expected, largely manageable, and low in severity Influenza, and not Covid-19, likely claims more lives each year in India and globally despite the latter dominating headlines, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), has told News18. One of the leading experts on infectious diseases, Swaminathan has reassured the public that there is 'absolutely no need to panic now". In an exclusive interview, Swaminathan told News18 that the SARS coronavirus, much like influenza, is now part of the respiratory viruses regularly circulating in the population. ' COVID or SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus, is another respiratory virus, like the many others that are circulating amongst us human beings in the world today. It has been around for five years now. It's, of course, constantly mutating and changing, like other viruses," she said. When asked whether there's a possibility of another 'Delta-like' wave making a return, she said the public needs to understand 'very clearly" that 'we will not see the repeat of 2020 or 2021. At that time, human beings had never seen this virus before". According to her, these periodic surges—roughly every 6-8 months—are expected and largely manageable. 'We have also now started seeing that periodically…There is a rise in circulating Covid-19 cases," she noted, citing data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which indicates that the Omicron variant JN.1 has recently become the dominant strain. Swaminathan, before her ground-breaking role at WHO, was the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and secretary of the Department of Health Research in India. She, however, says that despite the increase in cases, the severity remains low. 'What you're seeing now is a mild disease mostly. Even though people are testing and reporting positivity, you find that hospitalisations are rare," she said. Swaminathan highlighted that individuals with underlying health conditions should continue to take precautions. 'People who have underlying illnesses… are likely to get a little sicker when they get a respiratory infection," she warned, adding that this applies to both Covid-19 and influenza. The flu virus may pose a greater threat than Covid-19. 'Influenza probably kills a lot more people in India and around the world… it makes a lot of sense for vulnerable people to take the flu vaccine, which gets updated every year." Addressing fears of another catastrophic wave, she assured the public: 'It will not happen that we will have a repeat of 2020 or 2021… Today, the virus cannot spread in the same way because it is met with a strong immune response." Do we need booster shots or updated vaccines? According to Swaminathan, there is a need to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of updating vaccines, especially in countries like India. 'We see that illness is mild, not requiring hospitalisation… There doesn't seem to be any reason to start a booster campaign now," she said, although she acknowledged the importance of preparing for potential future variants through continued research and updated vaccine development. She also outlined five key areas for pandemic preparedness. 'We need new legislation today that will cover biological threats like pandemics," she said, adding that 'India should have its own list of priority pathogens… and mechanisms for developing vaccines and therapeutics". Also, she said: 'Every state must have a public health cadre… It's essential to deal with so many health risks today, along with the improvement of health literacy and public engagement, which is critical." What should you do? 'Let's take sensible precautions… I see people travelling in crowded buses, trains, and planes, coughing and sneezing without a mask—that's just spreading infection." As for concerns about waning immunity, she explained, 'There are two kinds of immunity… antibodies, which decline over time, and T-cells, which have memory. The moment you are exposed again to the same virus… your immune system does its job." She emphasised that Covid-19 is now an endemic part of life. While vigilance and preparedness are necessary, panic is not. 'We can rest assured now… I would say, let's take sensible precautions… but there's no need for any panic." Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:

India's health insurance sector faces growth and profitability challenges: Report
India's health insurance sector faces growth and profitability challenges: Report

India Gazette

timean hour ago

  • India Gazette

India's health insurance sector faces growth and profitability challenges: Report

New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): India's health insurance industry, which was earlier considered a strong and steady growth story, is now facing serious structural challenges. A recent report by Elara Capital has highlighted that both growth and profitability in the sector are being affected, which may redefine the long-term potential of health insurers in the country. It said, 'India's health insurance industry, long seen as a secular growth story, is facing structural constraints in terms of growth as well as profitability'. According to the report, one of the key reasons behind this slowdown is the overestimation of the total addressable market (TAM) for private insurers. Many experts had earlier projected a large market for private health insurance. However, with the expansion of government-sponsored health schemes that offer widespread coverage, the actual market available for private players has reduced. This has made it more difficult for private insurers to grow at the pace previously expected. At the same time, increasing competition in the sector is adding more pressure. The report noted that factors such as a shift in policy mix toward older or vintage policies and the growing bargaining power of hospitals and insurance distributors are affecting the profitability of health insurance companies. These trends are putting a cap on the margins of insurance manufacturers. The report also pointed to the entry of LIC into the health insurance segment, along with other life insurance companies that are expected to enter through composite licenses. This will further intensify competition and could limit growth opportunities for traditional standalone health insurers (SAHI). Due to these challenges, the report advised investors to lower their long-term expectations for broad-based growth in the health insurance sector. Instead, they should focus on more resilient areas such as third-party administrators (TPAs) and diversified multi-line private general insurers, which tend to have stronger business models and better profitability. Another concern is the rising cost of claims. The report explained that after COVID-19, there has been a shift in focus toward critical illnesses like cancer and heart conditions. This has led to higher claim frequency and severity, putting additional pressure on insurers. Loss ratios remain high, and the situation is worsened by increasing hospital occupancy, which has gone up from 52 per cent in FY21 to 64 per cent in FY25. Along with this, the average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB) has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 10 per cent, further driving up the cost of claims. In summary, the report highlighted that India's health insurance sector is going through a structural change. While traditional players may face limited growth, new opportunities exist in niche segments with better economics. (ANI)

Active Covid-19 Cases In India Surge To 3,758; West Bengal Reports Maximum In 24 Hours
Active Covid-19 Cases In India Surge To 3,758; West Bengal Reports Maximum In 24 Hours

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Active Covid-19 Cases In India Surge To 3,758; West Bengal Reports Maximum In 24 Hours

Last Updated: India reported 363 new Covid-19 cases on June 1, with active cases rising to 3,758 and two new deaths recorded. Kerala has the highest number of active cases. India on Sunday (June 1) reported 363 new cases of the Covid-19, taking the total active cases in the country to 3,758, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated on Monday. According to the data, West Bengal reported 82 new cases – the maximum among all states, followed by Kerala, which reported 64, and Delhi, which reported 61 new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours. However, at 1400, Kerala presently has the highest number of total active cases. The total active cases in Maharashtra were 485, while Delhi reported 436 total active cases. The total number of active cases in Gujarat stood at 320, while 287 was the total in West Bengal. Karnataka and Kerala reported one death each in the past 24 hours. Since January 1, 2025, Kerala and Maharashtra reported seven deaths each due to Covid-19. Four deaths were reported from Karnataka, and three from Delhi. The country has reported 28 deaths so far this year due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, a total of 383 Covid-19 patients recovered from the infection in the past 24 hours. On May 29, a 63-year-old man with co-morbidities and who tested positive for Covid-19 died at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru Urban (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike limits) on May 21 after he complained of weakness and died a week later. According to the health department statement, the elderly patient who was fully vaccinated was on post-operative chemotherapy and had co-morbidities like pulmonary TB with squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Earlier, a 60-year-old woman who was suffering from acute intestinal obstruction died of Covid-19 in Delhi. Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said 19 Covid patients were hospitalised in Delhi, but there was no need to worry. The Delhi government is alert and hospitals are ready, the Chief Minister told reporters at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in the national capital. 'Nineteen patients are admitted to hospitals and the remaining are receiving treatment at their homes. But Covid-19 has not reached the point where people need to worry. The government is ready for every situation," Gupta said. She also underlined the need for people to remain cautious. Last week, the Delhi government issued an advisory to hospitals, asking them to ensure availability of beds, medicines and oxygen. First Published: June 02, 2025, 09:52 IST

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store