India logs new Covid spike as cases rise in Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad
NEW DELHI: Health authorities are closely monitoring a rise in Covid-19 cases across multiple states, amid a resurgence of infections in parts of Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore.
While overall case numbers remain low compared to previous waves, cities such as Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad have reported small but notable surge in infections.
Maharashtra sees cluster in Mumbai
Mumbai has reported 95 new Covid-19 cases in May — a significant increase compared to the state's total of 106 since January, according to the Maharashtra health department.
At least 16 people are currently hospitalised, with most being shifted from KEM Hospital to Seven Hills Hospital to curb potential transmission.
Authorities are testing all patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) for Covid-19.
Pune on alert despite no active cases
In Pune, municipal officials have reserved 50 beds at Naidu Hospital as a precautionary measure. The city currently has no active Covid-19 patients in public hospitals.
'We had only one patient in May — an 87-year-old from Manjari — who has since fully recovered,' said Dr Nina Borade, health chief at Pune Municipal Corporation.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Entrevista exclusiva: a verdade sobre o magnésio que ninguém te contou
AlwaysFit
Undo
She added that tests are currently not being conducted in civic hospitals and said the city is awaiting updated central guidelines.
Rising cases in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, 12 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Puducherry. In Chennai, doctors are reporting a shift: fevers previously attributed to influenza are now increasingly being linked to Covid-19.
Surgeons in some hospitals have delayed critical procedures, including organ transplants and heart surgeries, due to the risk of infection.
'We are seeing a rising share of Covid-19 among viral cases,' said Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan, an infectious diseases expert at Gleneagles Healthcity. 'Two weeks ago, 60% of our positive samples were influenza A or B. Now, it's Covid-19.'
Public health director Dr T S Selvavinayagam said there is no need for panic but urged caution in crowded spaces. 'Covid-19 never truly disappeared — it has been circulating at low levels with seasonal peaks,' he said.
Karnataka and Gujarat report new cases
Karnataka has confirmed 16 active Covid-19 cases, according to state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
In Gujarat, seven new cases were detected in Ahmedabad on a single day — an unusual spike in a city that has averaged just one case per month over the past year. All seven patients are in home isolation, and authorities have sent their samples for genomic testing.
'Virus remains endemic'
Although the World Health Organization declared the pandemic over in May 2023, Covid-19 continues to circulate globally.
In India, most cases remain mild, and no deaths or ICU admissions have been linked to the latest uptick.
Health experts have advised the public — particularly the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions — to resume basic precautions such as mask-wearing in enclosed spaces and frequent handwashing.
Doctors also recommend influenza vaccination to reduce risk and severity of co-infections.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Star Health to Outsource Claims Processing to Medi Assist's AI Platform
MUMBAI: In a first for India's largest retail health insurer, Star Health has decided to outsource a significant part of its claims operations to a third-party administrator. The insurer will adopt Medi Assist's AI-driven MAtrix platform to expedite claims processing and enhance fraud detection capabilities. The move is part of Star Health's broader effort to modernize its claims ecosystem. The platform, which uses intelligent automation and real-time data integration, will eventually handle the full volume of Star Health's in-house claims portfolio. According to Medi Assist, the AI tools embedded in MAtrix will help cut down on waste, eliminate manual intervention, and streamline workflows to deliver quicker settlements and better customer experience, the partners said. Anand Roy, MD & CEO, Star Health, said the shift reflects the insurer's intent to build a technology-led, agile claims infrastructure. 'This partnership is a key milestone in our journey to strengthen claims management. By improving speed, accuracy, and consistency, we aim to deliver a transparent and reliable claims service while addressing fraud, waste, and abuse,' he said. Medi Assist CEO Satish Gidugu said the collaboration will modernize claims adjudication and reshape how insurers interact with stakeholders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo 'We are redefining industry standards in technology-driven operations,' he said. The MAtrix platform provides Star Health with a rules-based adjudication engine that improves accuracy and consistency. AI co-pilot features support claims teams in making quicker decisions, while machine learning tools enhance fraud detection. The system's integration with Star Health's internal architecture ensures scale, real-time exchange, and compliance with the National Health Claims Exchange framework. The partnership also brings in AI-powered customer engagement tools such as chatbots and virtual assistants, with omnichannel availability via mobile apps and WhatsApp. These upgrades are expected to improve responsiveness and policyholder satisfaction. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US to stop financial support of global vaccine alliance Gavi, health secretary says
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Wednesday that the U.S. government will no longer contribute to Gavi, accusing the group that helps buy vaccines for the world's poorest children of ignoring safety, without providing a video statement seen by Reuters and shown at a Gavi fundraising event in Brussels, Kennedy - a long-time vaccine skeptic - also accused the organization of making questionable recommendations around COVID-19 vaccines, and raised concerns about the DTPw (diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis) said in a statement that safety was key, and that it acts in line with World Health Organization recommendations. It has full confidence in the DTPw vaccine, which has contributed to halving child mortality in the countries it supports since 2000, the statement continued."I call on Gavi today to re-earn the public trust, and to justify the $8 billion that America has provided in funding since 2001," Kennedy said in the video, saying Gavi should consider all available science."Until that happens, the United States won't contribute more," he details of the video were first reported by said it "fully concurs with the Secretary for Health and Human Services on the need to consider all available science, and remains committed to continuing an evidence-based and scientific approach to its work and investment decisions, as it always has done."Gavi leaders, donors and countries it works with are in Brussels for the organization's pledging summit, where the alliance aims to raise $9 billion for its work from said in the video that he admired much of Gavi's work, particularly its efforts to make medicines affordable worldwide."Unfortunately, in its zeal to promote universal vaccination, it has neglected the key issue of vaccine safety," he added."Gavi's utmost concern is the health and safety of children," the group's statement Trump administration has previously indicated that it planned to cut its funding for Gavi, representing around $300 million annually, as part of a wider pullback from international Donald Trump's nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Susan Monarez, was asked about the Gavi decision at a Senate hearing on Wednesday."I believe the global health security preparedness is a critical and vital activity for the United States," she said."I think that we need to continue to support promotion of utilization of vaccines," she continued, adding that she was not involved in that decision-making and would look into it if donors, including Germany, Norway, and the Gates Foundation, have already pledged money in recent days for Gavi's future work.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Study reveals how 'unhealthy' seed oils can help prevent heart diseases and type 2 diabetes
Image credits: Getty Images The seed of thought that certain 'seed oils' are unhealthy and harmful for the body, has been crushed by a new study to reveal a new oily detail. For years, social media health gurus and nutrition coaches have warned people against using seed oils for cooking, treating it like a toxic product. However, a new study presented at the 2025 annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, has crushed that seed to prove that its oil is, on the contrary, very healthy. Linoleic acid is healthy for the body Image credits: Getty Images According to the findings of the study, people with high levels of linoleic acid have a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes due to reduced inflammation. Linoleic acid is present in seed oils, derived from the seeds of a plant such as sunflower, canola and sesame. Thus, this association completely dissolves the belief that seed oils are "bad" for health. "The study based on almost 1900 people found that higher linoleic acid in blood plasma was associated with lower levels of biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk," said Kevin C. Maki, adjunct professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington in a statement. The study is based on prominent evidence Image credits: Getty Images While these results match with previous research, this study was based on bloodwork and this makes its findings even more prominent than observational evidence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The study made the use of objective biomarkers rather than diet records or food frequency questionnaires to assess linoleic acid intake. Additionally, markers of inflammation and indicators of glucose metabolism were also analysed. Maki noted how they tested for other inflammation biomarkers and consistently found that 'people with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood tended to have a healthier overall risk profile for heart disease and diabetes.' Not just the study, experts as well are adding to the fact that seed oils aren't as unhealthy as proposed. "Seed oils are objectively quite healthy, in that they're typically low in saturated fats,' said Kerry Beeson, a nutritional therapist at Prep Kitchen to NY Post. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
