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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai sees 11 new Covid-19 cases daily, May numbers surge past 340
MUMBAI: Mumbai is currently recording an average of 11 new Covid-19 cases daily, with 346 infections reported in May alone – a sharp rise from near-zero figures till last month. While most cases are mild and hospitalisations remain low, Maharashtra has reported six Covid-positive deaths in 2025, so far, all of them involving patients with serious comorbidities. Health experts urge caution, not panic, stressing that the virus is now endemic and should be managed with rational testing, timely care and continued protection of vulnerable groups. Since January, Mumbai has reported a total of 352 cases, most of them emerging this month. On May 28 alone, Mumbai logged 36 new cases, underscoring a seasonal surge. 'This reflects the virus's persistent presence and our need to adapt to its changing behaviour,' said a senior epidemiologist with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 'COVID has not gone—it's just quieter and more selective.' Across Maharashtra, 521 cases have been reported between January 1 and May 28, a state-wide daily average of 3.5 cases. Thane has also seen a steady increase, with 12 new infections on May 28, bringing its active caseload to 72. Of these, 16 patients have been hospitalised, 45 are recovering in home isolation, and 10 have recovered. One death linked to comorbidities has been recorded during this period. 'The clinical picture remains mild in the vast majority of cases,' according to an official with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). 'We are ensuring timely diagnosis and isolation.' In terms of testing, Maharashtra conducted 8,868 Covid-19 tests in this five-month period, with a positivity rate of 5.87%. Besides Mumbai and Thane, new cases on May 28 were reported from Pune (9), Navi Mumbai (4), Panvel (4), Pimpri-Chinchwad (3), Kalyan (2), Ahmednagar (2), and one case each from Raigad and Nagpur. The state's active case count stands at 383, with 132 recoveries documented since January. Despite the uptick, health authorities are not alarmed. Hospital admissions remain limited, and most patients are recovering within three to four days. 'There is no significant lung involvement or oxygen requirement in these patients,' said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chair of the National IMA COVID Task Force. 'Symptoms are predominantly mild—fever, sore throat, body ache, fatigue. Most people don't require antivirals or even clinical intervention beyond supportive care.' Maharashtra has reported six Covid-positive deaths in 2025, so far, averaging one death approximately every 24 days. All six individuals had serious underlying conditions. 'In these cases, Covid was a precipitating factor, not the primary cause of death,' explained an infectious disease specialist at a Mumbai tertiary hospital. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued an advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant without resorting to panic. 'Covid is now endemic. It flares when immunity wanes or when a new variant circulates,' said Dr Jayadevan. 'What we need is rational testing, symptom-guided treatment, and continued focus on protecting at-risk populations.' He also warned against the misuse of antibiotics. 'This is a viral illness—antibiotics are ineffective and only worsen antimicrobial resistance,' he said. With the monsoon approaching and the likelihood of a seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses, health experts are advising the public to wear masks in crowded places, avoid self-medication, and seek timely medical consultation if symptoms persist. 'We've learnt how to live with this virus,' said a senior health official. 'It still targets the vulnerable, but we are no longer powerless—preparedness, not panic, is what matters now.'
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Experts dismiss rising Covid cases in Southeast Asia as seasonal trends of flu
New Delhi: With media reports citing cases of Covid-19 infections surging in Southeast Asia, bringing fresh fears about the disease that affected millions of people and the global economy, health experts on Tuesday dismissed them as seasonal trends of flu. As per media reports, the weekly Covid-19 infections in Singapore surged by 28 per cent from 11,100 in late April to 14,200 in the first week of May, with hospitalisations also rising 30 per cent. Hong Kong recorded 31 virus-related deaths in the week ending May 3, the city's highest weekly toll in a year. New infections in Hong Kong rose to 1,042 in the week ending May 10, up from 972 the previous week. 'Rising Covid cases in Southeast Asia are attributed to seasonal trends of flu cases. Most of the cases are mild and do not need any hospitalisation,' Dr. Harshal R Salve, Additional professor at, the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. India also is seeing a slight uptick in cases. A review held on Monday by the Ministry of Health concluded that the current situation in India is 'under control,' with just 257 active cases reported nationwide as of May 19. 'Covid-19 is a cyclical disease, which means that cases will rise every few months. The intervals can range from six to nine months. As with other Asian countries, we are seeing Covid cases in India too. But they are not overwhelming hospitals and are not any more severe than they used to be. In fact, most cases are so mild, they are being treated as outpatient,' said Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA. 'Due to widespread immunity due to prior vaccination and from surviving past infections, Covid-19 is no longer the destructive force it used to be. There is no indication of any major genetic shift having occurred in the virus that could alter the character of the disease it causes,' he added. China and Thailand have also reported a notable increase in new infections. The surge is being largely attributed to the spread of new Omicron subvariants, including JN.1 and its related descendants -- LF.7 and NB.1.8, which make up over two-thirds of sequenced cases. The increase in cases may also be attributed to waning immunity, with periodic waves being anticipated. While the cases reported so far are generally mild in severity, 'the outcome also depends on the host. For instance, infection in a frail elderly individual could lead to more severe outcomes,' Jayadevan said. The experts urged cough hygiene and cleanliness to fight the virus. 'When cases rise, it's important to take more precautions than usual. Wearing masks in crowded closed spaces will be helpful. Those who have a fever should stay home and avoid mingling with others,' Jayadevan said. Meanwhile, the health ministry assured that the country has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including Covid also exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR.
