India is maintaining a vigilant stance on the COVID-19 situation, prompted by a surge in cases observed in Singapore and Hong Kong. The Health Ministry recently convened a review meeting with experts from various key institutions to assess the situation and ensure preparedness.
As of May 19, 2025, India has reported 257 active COVID-19 cases. According to sources within the Union Health Ministry, these cases are considered mild, with no hospitalizations required. This figure remains low relative to India's large population, and the overall situation is currently under control. The review meeting included experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, the Disaster Management Cell, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and central government hospitals. The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) chaired the meeting.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of the increase in cases in Singapore and Hong Kong. These regions are experiencing a resurgence attributed to a combination of waning immunity within the population and the emergence of new Omicron subvariants. Singapore, for example, has seen a significant rise in cases, attributed to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, both descendants of the JN.1 variant. Similarly, Hong Kong has observed an increase in the Sars-CoV-2 viral load in sewage samples, along with a rise in respiratory samples testing positive for COVID-19.
Indian health authorities are taking proactive measures to prevent a similar surge within the country. These measures include enhanced surveillance through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR, which monitor respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19. Hospitals across the country have also been instructed to monitor influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases. The government maintains that the vaccinated population is unlikely to experience severe illness. However, health officials are closely monitoring hospitalization data and genotyping samples to detect any emerging variants.
While the situation in India remains stable, the government is not taking any chances. The Health Ministry has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health by taking appropriate measures and maintaining a state of vigilance. Citizens are urged not to panic but to remain cautious and follow recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Some celebrities have tested positive for COVID-19 as fears about its resurgence grow. Shilpa Shirodkar, a Bollywood star, released a statement confirming that she had tested positive for the virus and urged fans to mask up.
