Covid cases rise in India: Active caseloads hit 3,961, 4 more deaths; Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst affected
India's active Covid-19 case count climbed to 3,961 on Monday, June 2—up by 566 since Sunday—as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi continued to report the highest number of infections, according to data from the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW).
The country has recorded 32 Covid-related deaths since January 1, including four deaths reported in the past 24 hours. Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu each logged one covid-related death.
The deceased included a 22-year-old woman in Delhi with a history of post-tuberculosis lung disease and a 44-year-old man in Maharashtra suffering from acute respiratory distress and aortic valve issues. Kerala's latest fatality was reported, though details remain pending.
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Delhi sees sharpest rise again; Tamil Nadu, Karnataka report deaths
Delhi reported the sharpest daily increase among major states, adding 47 new active cases and one death. Tamil Nadu, which now has 189 active cases, recorded the death of a 25-year-old man with bronchial asthma and acute tubular injury.
Karnataka (253 active cases) also reported a fresh Covid-linked death, while Uttar Pradesh, now with 157 active cases, added two more deaths to its toll.
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In total, 16 states and UTs have reported Covid-related fatalities so far this year, though most regions continue to report mild cases and relatively low hospitalisation.
Kerala remains worst-hit; Maharashtra, West Bengal follow
Kerala continues to bear the heaviest Covid burden, with 1,435 active cases, up from 1,336 the previous day. Maharashtra and Delhi follow with 506 and 483 active cases, respectively. West Bengal has also seen a sharp rise, climbing to 331 active infections.
Other states reporting higher caseloads include Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189), Uttar Pradesh (157), Gujarat (338), and Rajasthan (69). Smaller increases were also observed in states like Madhya Pradesh (23), Haryana (28), and Odisha (12).
A total of 203 patients were discharged across states in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered or migrated patients this year to 2,188.
Experts: No cause for panic, most cases still mild
Despite the surge in numbers, health authorities continue to stress that the overall situation remains under control. Most cases are mild and managed under home isolation. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Health Ministry officials have reiterated that there is no immediate cause for alarm, though they urge the public to stay vigilant.
'We have been closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, overall, we should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry,' said Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of ICMR.
The increase comes amid the spread of Omicron sub-variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, recently detected through genome sequencing in western and southern India. The World Health Organization has labelled these 'Variants Under Monitoring,' indicating they currently pose no global threat.
Hospital readiness, vaccination, and masking key to managing spread
As a precaution, state health departments—especially in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala—are rechecking hospital preparedness and medical supply chains. Authorities are encouraging mask use in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, especially for the elderly and those with comorbidities.
With the virus spreading primarily through new sub-variants that are more contagious but less virulent, experts believe vaccination, timely diagnosis, and responsible behaviour will be crucial in keeping hospitalisation and deaths low.
While India's caseload remains a fraction of earlier waves, the recent spike—tenfold in under two weeks—has refocused attention on active monitoring, genome sequencing, and public awareness to prevent another full-blown wave.
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