Covid Cases on the Rise in India: Over 1,000 Active Infections Reported Amid New Variants

Covid cases on the rise in India have reignited health concerns, with the nation now grappling with more than 1,000 active cases in a new wave of infections, according to the Union Health Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard released on Monday. Of these, 752 have been recently confirmed as positive, signaling a mild yet noticeable uptick in viral activity after months of lull.

Kerala remains the epicenter of this current spell, recording 430 active infections, followed by Maharashtra with 209, Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), Tamil Nadu (69), Karnataka (47), Uttar Pradesh (15), Rajasthan (13), West Bengal (10), and Madhya Pradesh with just 2 active cases.

Some of the increased numbers are being attributed to enhanced surveillance and wider testing, prompted by a spike in covid-19 cases reported recently from other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.

New COVID-19 Variants Behind the Rise

Health authorities have tied this renewed rise to two emerging variants of the coronavirus—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both descendants of the JN.1 strain that has been circulating globally since 2023. According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG), India has so far detected one case of NB.1.8.1 and four cases of LF.7.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified these variants as “Variants Under Monitoring,” which means they are being tracked closely but have not yet reached the threshold of “Variants of Concern” or “Variants of Interest.”

Despite the detection of new variants, health experts emphasize that the current trend does not suggest high severity. “We are observing a small uptick in cases, but most of them are mild and recovering under home care,” said Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “There is no reason for panic. The government remains vigilant and fully prepared.”

Government and Health Agencies on Alert

On Saturday, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava convened a high-level review meeting with top officials from ICMR, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The review concluded that although the number of active covid cases on the rise in India is being monitored, the majority are mild, with no significant increase in hospital admissions.

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is actively tracking the transmission rate, severity, and regional spread of the virus. “The situation remains under control, but surveillance will continue with enhanced genomic sequencing,” said a senior official at the meeting.

Public Health Experts Urge Caution, Not Panic

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a well-known public health expert, stressed the importance of avoiding self-medication. “Even if symptoms are mild, patients should consult medical professionals instead of rushing for antibiotics. Recovery is quick, but responsible behavior is crucial,” he advised.

Testing labs across India are witnessing a spike in demand. Diagnostic centers including Agilus Diagnostics, Dr Lal PathLabs, Redcliffe Labs, and Dr. Dang’s Lab have all reported a sharp rise in covid testing since early May 2025, reflecting growing public concern and increased alertness among medical professionals.

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