&w=3840&q=100)
India's Covid-19 cases climb to 2,710; Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst hit
India's active Covid-19 cases have climbed to 2,710, with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi emerging as the top contributors, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Kerala currently leads with 1,147 active cases, followed by Maharashtra with 424 cases, and Delhi with 294 cases. Gujarat has reported 223 cases, while Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal have each logged 148, 148, and 116 cases respectively.
Seven Covid-19 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll in the first five months of this year to 22. Maharashtra recorded two deaths, while Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu each reported one fatality.
Delhi sees a steady rise in cases
Delhi currently reports 294 active cases — an increase of 56 since the previous day — and one death. The deceased was identified as a '60-year-old female with Acute Intestinal Obstruction Post Laparotomy, with incidental Covid-19 finding.'
On May 23, the Delhi government issued an advisory instructing hospitals to ensure sufficient availability of beds, oxygen, essential medications, and operational equipment, including ventilators and BiPAP machines.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reassured the public last week that there is no cause for alarm. 'We have details of the Covid-19 cases. Our hospitals have all the facilities. We have also issued an advisory. We have analysed the scenario, and there is no panic situation,' she told the media, adding that the situation is under control.
Centre assures readiness for Covid surge
On Friday, Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, said that the central government is well-prepared to manage any emerging challenges.
'Both our Central Health Department and the AYUSH Ministry are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation across all states. We have spoken with the respective Health and AYUSH Secretaries, as well as other concerned ministers,' Jadhav told news agency ANI.
He further mentioned that the infrastructure established during previous Covid-19 waves has been thoroughly assessed, and necessary measures are being put in place to address any potential developments.
'We've reviewed the infrastructure built during the earlier Covid waves, such as oxygen plants and ICU beds, and have already begun preparations. Our health systems are well-equipped and ready to handle any situation that may arise in response to Covid,' he added.
New sub-variants detected: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7
The recent surge in cases in some states is attributed to the emergence of two new sub-variants — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. These variants exhibit genetic differences from earlier strains and are currently being tracked by health authorities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified them as "Variants Under Monitoring" rather than "Variants of Concern". State governments have issued advisories to manage the evolving situation.
Situation in china: Stronger variants observed
In China, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a hospital test positivity rate of 15.8 per cent in early May — up from 6.3 per cent at the end of March. Nikkei Asia reported that China logged over 168,000 confirmed cases in April, including 340 severe cases and nine deaths.
Chinese experts have identified XDV and XDV.1 as the dominant strains, which appear to have stronger immune evasion capabilities. Zhong Nanshan, a leading respiratory disease specialist, has advised older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions to take extra precautions. A decline in cases is anticipated by late June.
Thailand records over 180,000 cases
Thailand has reported 187,031 Covid-19 cases and at least 44 deaths from January to mid-May, according to the National Thailand. Between May 18 and 24 alone, the country saw 67,484 new cases and eight deaths, with Bangkok recording the highest numbers. The annual Songkran water festival in April has been partially blamed for the rise in cases.
To manage the situation, authorities have enhanced digital healthcare services and distributed masks, test kits, and sanitizers. Free telemedicine consultations and home delivery of medicines are being offered through government apps like SaluberMD and Mordee.
Singapore has also reported a rise in cases, with an estimated 14,200 infections in early May, up from 11,100 the previous week. Hospital admissions have increased slightly but remain manageable. The predominant strain is a descendant of the JN.1 variant, accounting for more than two-thirds of local cases. The government has recommended mask-wearing in crowded areas and is encouraging booster vaccinations to curb the spread.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
30 minutes ago
- Hans India
Mask up Telangana
Hyderabad: In the wake of a spike in the Covid cases and 26 deaths so far in the country, health experts in the city have cautioned common people to wear masks for at least four weeks. Dr Madap Karuna, consultant at EMRI Green Health Services, who deals with preventive healthcare, stressed on masking up. She said that there were many unreported Covid cases in Telangana as a few of the fellow doctors were mentioning. Karuna said that people need to wear masks for at least four weeks in crowded places, hospitals and diagnostic centres. 'If you have fever, cough, cold, please wear a mask to protect your family, colleagues and near and dear,' said Dr Karuna. According to the dashboard of the Union Health Ministry, there were close to 4,000 positive cases in the country. The total positivity rate was 0.2 per 1 lakh population and the total fatality rate was at 0.8 per 100 cases. The Kerala state alone accounts for 42.3 per cent of total active cases. Maharashtra follows with 15.6 per cent, Delhi (294 cases) and Gujarat (223) together making up 19 per cent of the total burden. The South Indian states (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) together account for over 58 per cent of all cases. Maharashtra reported the highest number of deaths (7), accounting for nearly 32 per cent of the total deaths followed by Kerala with 5 deaths (23 per cent), Delhi and Karnataka each reported 2 deaths, jointly contributing 18 per cent. Dr Karuna further said that the government alone can't control, and the public should oblige with precautions. 'These illnesses can be controlled if we become alert when we see fumes, not when we see fire. Most important antibiotic abuse for these viral infections can be stopped by knowing the case pattern in our surroundings," she explained. Concurring with her views, Dr Kiran Madhala from the Telangana State chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), said that following precautions was always a better option. He said that after May 2025, a total of 72 Covid-19 genome sequences were recorded in the country. Among these, the JF.7.9 variant accounted for the highest proportion, comprising 25 sequences or approximately 34.72 per cent. The XFG variant followed closely with 24 sequences (33.33 per cent), and the XFJ variant was found in 15 sequences (20.83 per cent). The JN.1 variant appeared in two sequences (2.78 per cent), while the remaining six sequences (8.33 per cent) were classified as others.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Covid-19 cases in India rise to 3,758; Kerala leads with 1,400, Maharashtra at 506
India's active COVID-19 cases have risen to 3,758, with Kerala reporting the highest at 1,400 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 506 cases. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (mohfw) data released on Sunday, June 1, 360 new infections were recorded in 24 hours. Two Covid-19-related deaths were also reported during the same period — one each in Kerala and Karnataka. In Karnataka, a 63-year-old man who was diagnosed with pulmonary TB, squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa, and incidentally tested positive for Covid-19, passed away. In Kerala, a 24-year-old woman with Covid-19, sepsis, hypertension, and decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD) also succumbed, the health ministry said. In the past 24 hours, Kerala reported 64 new Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra logged 18, and Delhi added 61, according to MoHFW figures. (With PTI inputs)
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana district tops Punjab's COVID tally with five cases, 1 death
Out of the six active COVID-19 cases in the state, five have been reported in the district with one person even dying of infection. According to health officials, the district till Sunday had five active cases, and one death. While two of the cases happen to be the kids of the man who died of COVID on Wednesday and are reported to be asymptomatic and in quarantine, three more cases were reported on Friday and Saturday, with one 26-year-old having returned from Kerala recently and two others who had come in contact with people who had come in contact with those who recently travelled to states with more number of cases. As per a senior health official speaking on the condition of anonymity, the latest three cases are mildly symptomatic. The department is tracing people who have been in contact with the people found positive to check a possible spread of infection. The official also confirmed that so far, the local health department was not sending test samples to Patiala to check for the strain of the infection. Despite having the greatest number of cases, with one death, the local health department hasn't yet issued any advisory. Some other district like Patiala have asked the district hospitals to make COVID tests mandatory for all patients complaining of fever, cold, and other symptoms. Avoid heading out in crowded areas While noting that the authority to issue any advisory was not available at the district level and was the prerogative of only the state or central government, Ludhiana civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur said the department through media had been asking people to exercise necessary precautions and voluntarily come in for tests if they see any symptoms. 'Ever since the first case was reported, we have been calling upon people to maintain SOPs like avoiding crowds or using masks when venturing out, special precautions for those with co-morbid conditions and age above sixty, isolation for those having symptoms, getting etc,. Even the health minister who was here earlier in the week had emphasised these precautions,' she said. She also said the department was following the condition closely and in discussions with the higher ups may issue an advisory as soon as it is warranted. State nodal officer for COVID-19, Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, said the situation is very normal as of now and there was no reason to worry about and that any advisory wasn't required yet. 'The situation is really normal. We have just six active cases. Kerala has over 300 cases and the government there too hasn't issued any advisory. Because the situation hasn't reached that situation yet,' he said. It is pertinent to mention that the person who died of COVID was already suffering from a lung ailment.
