India has recently witnessed a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, with 5 deaths reported across two states in the past week. According to official sources, all the individuals who died had underlying health conditions. While one death was reported in Karnataka, Maharashtra reported four deaths.
The recent increase in cases has prompted a review by the Union Health Ministry. The Health Secretary, along with key officials from the Department of Health Research (DHR), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), are closely monitoring the situation.
The majority of new COVID-19 infections are reported to be mild, with patients primarily receiving care at home. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi are among those reporting new cases. Kerala currently has the highest number of active cases with 95, followed by Tamil Nadu with 66 and Maharashtra with 56. Delhi has also reported 23 new cases, which led to the government issuing advisory to hospitals.
India has recorded 164 new cases since May 12th, with Kerala experiencing the most significant rise of 69 new infections, followed by Maharashtra with 44 and Tamil Nadu with 33. The total number of recoveries remains high, with over 4.45 crore people having recovered since the beginning of the pandemic. The death toll stands at around 5.33 lakh.
Amidst the increase in cases, two new COVID-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, have been detected in India, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). One case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 as "Variants Under Monitoring," not as "Variants of Concern" or "Variants of Interest". The WHO suggests that the public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is low at the global level and that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines should remain effective against these variants.
The JN.1 variant remains the most common in India, accounting for 53% of the samples tested, followed by BA.2 at 26%, and other Omicron sublineages at 20%. Doctors have advised the public not to panic over the rise in cases linked to the JN.1 variant, as it is considered not severe, with most patients experiencing only mild symptoms. Symptoms associated with the JN.1 variant are similar to those of a common cold or mild flu, including fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and sometimes minor stomach issues. These symptoms typically last for about four to five days and improve without serious complications.
Official sources have stated that most infections are mild and under home care. The Union Health Ministry has reiterated its vigilance and is actively monitoring the situation through its various agencies. The recent increase in cases in Singapore, Hong Kong and other countries has been noted, but the circulating variants are not considered to be more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previous variants.
