153% Jump in COVID Searches Reveals India's Vigilance Amid New Wave Fears

Time of India

5 hours ago

New Delhi: As India witnesses a resurgence of COVID-19 cases—with active infections surpassing the 7,000 mark—new search data from local search engine Justdial, reveals a significant shift in public behaviour.
COVID-related searches spiked by 153 per cent nationwide between April and May 2025, reflecting a palpable increase in public concern and preparedness across cities.
Among the top trends were an 8x increase in searches for government testing centres, a 77 per cent rise in insurance-related queries, and a threefold jump in
vaccine centre lookups
under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
The capital city Delhi has emerged as the most proactive, with a 140 per cent rise in overall COVID-related searches and a 15x surge in government testing centre queries.
According to Justdial's report, the renewed public interest spans both metros and smaller cities, indicating broader health awareness. In Mumbai, searches for private testing rose alongside a 26 per cent increase in insurance-related lookups. Kerala, meanwhile, recorded an 84 per cent surge in insurance searches, the highest in the country.
ETHealthworld's Rashmi Kaur spoke to experts from healthcare facilities to understand on how they view the public's proactive approach.
'Yes, we are witnessing huge spikes in footfalls for
COVID
testing, especially for travelers and those with mild symptoms,' confirmed Dr. Diksha Goyal, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram. 'We've streamlined testing logistics, stocked up on kits and PPE, and trained our staff to handle the surge efficiently. Online bookings and electronic reporting are helping us reduce crowding and waiting times.'
Dr. Deepak Sanghavi, Vice President of Operations at Agilus Diagnostics, emphasized that the rising interest in testing is not just reactive but also preventive. 'While there's no panic, people are clearly more alert. We're seeing increased demand from symptomatic individuals, their contacts, and even post-infection follow-ups—many opting for home sample collection,' he said.
While numbers are rising, doctors believe the clinical picture is changing.
'Many cases are now presenting with milder, influenza-like symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, and fatigue,' said Dr. Goyal. 'Severe respiratory distress is rare, particularly in vaccinated individuals. However, early detection remains tricky, as the symptoms are more insidious. High-risk groups still need close monitoring and timely care.'
Dr. Sanghavi echoed, 'This is not the same panic-driven atmosphere we saw during earlier waves. Public behaviour now shows a desire for early awareness and informed action. That's a good sign.'
Demand for Booster shots
With immunity waning and infection trends climbing, public interest in booster doses is seeing a revival.
'There's a clear uptick in people—especially seniors—seeking booster shots.
While national advisories are awaited, state-level initiatives are encouraging precautionary vaccination for high-risk groups,' said Dr. Goyal.
What sets this surge apart from earlier waves is the public's proactive response—seeking out information, verifying coverage options, and opting for safe testing methods like home collection.
'Healthcare providers and diagnostics labs are more prepared than ever before,' said Dr. Sanghavi. 'India's healthcare infrastructure, bolstered by earlier experiences, is well-equipped to manage this rise efficiently.'
While health authorities monitor the evolving situation, experts agree that public vigilance, timely testing, accurate information, and vaccinations remain the most effective tools in preventing another full-blown crisis.