Active COVID-19 cases in India rose to 2,710, with the majority of infections being reported in Kerala, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Coronavirus cases are on the rise in India after months of lull, with infections seeing a five-fold jump in the week ending May 25 to cross the 1,000 mark.
According to the data, Kerala has reported 1,147 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 424, Delhi with 294 and Gujarat with 223. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have reported 148 cases each, while West Bengal has reported 116 cases.
Seven Death Reported
Seven deaths have also been reported in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll in the first five months of this year to 22. Maharashtra reported two deaths in the last 24 hours, while Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu reported one death each. This is the first death reported in Delhi in the current wave.
However, the Health Ministry has said that most of the COVID-19 cases are mild and there is no need to panic. The reason for Kerala reporting the highest number of cases can only be that the state has conducted more tests. Mizoram has also reported two Covid cases, seven months after the last such case was reported in the state.
The New Sub- Variants
Two new sub-variants of Omicron LF.7 and NB.1.8.1, are being blamed for this sudden surge in Covid cases, though JN.1 remains the dominant strain in the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not classified LF.7 or NB.1.8 as variants of concern (VOC) or variants of interest (VOI).
Its symptoms are quite similar to those of the common flu. Some of the symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and exhaustion.
Amid the surge in cases, several states have directed hospitals to maintain availability of beds, oxygen cylinders, testing kits and vaccines. The elderly and people with comorbidities have been advised to wear masks when visiting crowded areas.
