Covid-19 cases rise in India: WHO releases new global action roadmap

Business Standard

04-06-2025

As of June 4, India has recorded over 4,300 active Covid-19 cases, with nearly 300 new infections and seven deaths reported in the past 24 hours. States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi are witnessing a gradual rise, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance and response measures.
In response to the ongoing risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released two key global guidance documents:
Strategic and Operational Plan for Coronavirus Disease Threat Management: 2025–2030
Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005): Extension of the Standing Recommendations for Covid-19
These documents lay out how countries, including India, should navigate the next phase of the pandemic, prepare for future waves, and protect public health without repeating the chaos of previous years.
New WHO documents on Covid-19 strategy and regulations
1. The Strategic and Operational Plan (2025–2030)
This plan outlines how countries should sustainably manage coronavirus threats, including Covid-19, Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), and potential new variants.
'This plan sets out WHO's strategic and operational framework to support Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats, including Covid-19, Mers, and potential novel coronavirus diseases of public health importance,' the WHO states in the document.
2. Extension of standing recommendations under international health regulations
This is a set of updated global guidelines that will remain in effect until April 30, 2026, helping countries tackle Covid-19 with smarter, integrated strategies.
WHO notes: 'The extension of these standing recommendations is necessary to support States Parties in addressing the risk posed by Covid-19 and to prevent or reduce the international spread of Covid-19, as well as its impact on health.'
WHO's five-point Covid-19 management framework for 2025–2030
According to WHO, Covid-19 should be managed like other ongoing health threats, not as a separate emergency. The plan outlines five key areas of focus:
Early surveillance and variant tracking
Strong community engagement
High-quality clinical care
Fair access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment
Global and national coordination and cooperation
WHO recommendations for India's Covid-19 response
Both documents are global frameworks meant to guide all WHO Member States, including India, and should be adapted nationally based on context, needs, and public health capacities. For India, this means scaling up what worked and fixing what did not. WHO recommends that countries:
Update national Covid-19 readiness and vaccine delivery systems
Avoid relying on travel restrictions; instead, focus on real-time data and risk assessment
Continue Covid-19 vaccinations, especially for high-risk groups
Integrate Covid-19 care with general health services to avoid parallel systems
Are new Covid-19 restrictions likely in India?
Not necessarily. WHO is no longer recommending lockdowns or sweeping travel bans. Instead, it suggests evidence-based measures that do not disrupt daily life—such as early detection of variants, focused vaccinations, and improved public communication.
WHO priorities for long Covid, new variants, and vaccine development
WHO strongly emphasises the need to:
Continue research on long Covid-19, particularly its effects on productivity, mental health, and quality of life
Study variant evolution, transmission patterns, and vaccine performance
Develop new vaccines and therapeutics that can reduce transmission and hospitalisation
Why WHO wants countries to keep sharing Covid-19 data
WHO urges countries to continue sharing data on:
New cases, deaths, and hospitalisations
Virus variants and sequencing
Vaccine effectiveness and adverse events
Major outbreaks or shifts in virus behaviour
This global sharing helps WHO make timely assessments and prepare for future threats. India has been contributing to this effort but must scale up further.
WHO's vaccine plan and recommendations for 2025–2030
Yes. WHO advises:
Vaccinating all high-priority groups with WHO-recommended shots
Tackling vaccine hesitancy through targeted communication
Ensuring equitable access, particularly in rural and underserved areas
It also recommends continued improvements in vaccine research, delivery systems, and regulatory frameworks.
How individuals can contribute to India's Covid preparedness
As cases rise again, WHO's roadmap is meant not just for policymakers but for the public too. If you travel frequently or spend time in crowded settings, you are at high risk of transmission. Many long Covid-19 sufferers are working-age adults grappling with fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety. You are also among the most connected online—crucial in countering misinformation.
Stay informed, encourage vaccinations, and do not dismiss 'mild symptoms'—they may affect others more severely.
The WHO documents are a reminder that complacency is dangerous and that preparedness must become a habit.