Alarming Covid surge in India’s major cities: Delhi, Kerala and Mumbai on alert – What to know
Kerala has reported highest number of Covid cases in India this May, with 273 infections
Dubai: After causing global disruption, Covid-19 is gradually resurging in urban areas across India, prompting states and union territories such as Delhi, Karnataka, and Mumbai to put hospitals on high alert. Fresh cases have been reported this month in Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
The rise in cases across South Asia is likely driven by the JN.1 variant, a sub-variant of Omicron. Experts note that while this variant is quite “active,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has not designated it a “variant of concern.”
Covid -19 symptoms remain generally mild, with most recovering within four days. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and exhaustion.
Top officials convene amid Covid spike
Most recent COVID-19 cases in India are mild and under home care, according to official sources cited by the ANI news agency. The situation was reviewed by the Union Health Secretary on Saturday. “The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and is closely monitoring developments through various agencies,” officials said, noting that cases have been mainly reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Current status and safety measures
Currently, India has 257 active Covid-19 cases nationwide. Though the rise is modest, it marks a clear increase from the very low numbers seen in recent months. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra account for over 85% of active cases—Kerala leads with 95, followed by Tamil Nadu (66) and Maharashtra (56). Notably, Delhi has recorded 23 coronavirus cases for the first time in three years.
After several months of relative quiet, Covid-19 is resurging in urban areas across India. States and union territories such as Delhi, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have put hospitals on high alert. Fresh cases this month have been reported in Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Notably, Delhi has recorded 23 Covid cases for the first time in three years.
Key highlights
Mild symptoms dominate, with recovery in about four days.
Delhi reports 23 new cases; hospitals urged to maintain preparedness.
Kerala records 273 cases in May; intensified surveillance ordered.
Karnataka reports 35 cases, including an infant; SARI testing urged.
Mumbai reports 95 cases in May; low hospital admissions; SARI testing emphasized.
Thane reports 10 cases; health facilities well-stocked.
Andhra Pradesh prepared with medical supplies; travelers advised to test.
Delhi on alert
Following the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, the Delhi government issued a precautionary advisory urging hospitals to ensure readiness with adequate beds, oxygen, medicines, and trained staff. Despite 23 recent cases and 257 active cases nationwide as of May 19, experts say the situation is under control with no hospitalizations or ICU admissions. Doctors emphasize cases are mild and manageable, with COVID-19 behaving like seasonal flu.
The advisory calls for continued testing, genome sequencing, and daily case reporting, alongside reinforcing preventive measures like mask-wearing and hand hygiene. Authorities stress there is no need for panic.
Key highlights:
Hospital preparedness: All hospitals in Delhi have been advised to ensure adequate beds, oxygen supply, medicines, and staff training.
Equipment checks: Hospitals must confirm that critical equipment like ventilators and oxygen concentrators are fully functional.
Genome sequencing:
Positive Covid -19 samples must be sent to Lok Nayak Hospital for Whole Genome Sequencing to detect new variants.Daily reporting: ILI and SARI cases must be reported daily on the IHIP and State Health Data portals.
Covid testing protocols: 5% of ILI and 100% of SARI patients must be tested, following ICMR guidelines.
Mask advisory: Mask-wearing is encouraged within hospital premises and healthcare facilities.
Public health advisory: Citizens are urged to maintain hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded places, and avoid unnecessary gatherings.
Kerala issues advisory
Kerala is experiencing a surge with 273 Covid-19 cases in May, concentrated in Kottayam (82), Thiruvananthapuram (73), Ernakulam (49), Pathanamthitta (30), and Thrissur (26). Health Minister Veena George has called for intensified surveillance and monitoring across all districts.
She stressed early detection, mask-wearing for symptomatic individuals, and extra caution for vulnerable groups. Masks remain mandatory in hospitals, and health workers must wear them at all times. The public is urged to avoid unnecessary hospital visits to reduce transmission.
Key highlights:
Surge in cases: Kerala reported 273 cases in May, mainly in Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ernakulam.
Government response: Health Minister Veena George urges stronger surveillance in all districts.
Preventive measures: Focus on early detection, masks for symptomatic people, and caution for vulnerable groups.
Mask mandates: Masks mandatory in hospitals; health workers must wear them continuously.
Public advisory: People advised to avoid non-essential hospital visits to limit spread.
Covid cluster in Mumbai
Mumbai reported 95 Covid-19 cases in May, leading Maharashtra’s tally, but hospitalizations remain low with only 16 admitted. BMC mandates testing all SARI patients. In Thane, 10 new cases with mild symptoms are recovering at home. Health centers are well-stocked, and civic officials have increased vigilance with readiness plans in place.
Key Highlights:
Mumbai surge: 95 Covid-19 cases reported in May, out of Maharashtra's 106 cases this year.
16 hospitalisations; some patients moved from KEM to Seven Hills Hospital.
Testing made mandatory for those with flu-like or respiratory symptoms.
·Thane update: 10 mild cases reported in the last three days; all patients are home-isolated.
19-bed special ward prepared at Kalwa Hospital; RTPCR testing resumed.
Deaths in Maharashtra:
Two Covid-linked deaths reported since January, both with comorbidities.
State health officials assure no severe outbreak; most cases remain mild.
BMC advisory & measures:
Covid-19 now treated as endemic with sporadic cases.
Seven Hills and Kasturba Hospitals prepared with ICU and general beds.
Citizens urged to wear masks if symptomatic, maintain hygiene, and consult doctors if symptoms like fever, cough, or fatigue appear.
Symptoms and precautions:
Common symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache.
Severe cases may involve breathing difficulty.
High-risk groups (elderly, cancer patients, diabetics) advised to take extra care.
Uttarakhand on alert
Uttarakhand issued a high alert after two women, including an AIIMS Rishikesh doctor, tested positive. Both had recently traveled from other states. While no local active cases exist, the health department has intensified testing, genome sequencing, and monitoring of travelers, with oxygen plants and hospital beds kept ready.
Key Highlights:
Uttarakhand on high alert after two Covid -19 cases (May 24, 2025)
Two positive cases: A 57-year-old woman from Gujarat and a doctor from Bengaluru test positive for COVID-19 in Uttarakhand.
The woman is under treatment; the doctor is isolating at home.
State Response:
Uttarakhand health department issues high alert.
No active local cases in the state, but preventive measures are being intensified.
Orders issued for increased testing, sampling, and genome sequencing of any new cases.
Oxygen plants and hospital beds kept operational as precaution.
Karnataka surge
Karnataka has recorded 35 active COVID-19 cases, with 32 in Bengaluru, including a nine-month-old infant in stable condition at Vani Vilas Hospital. An 84-year-old man with comorbidities also died from the virus in the city, PTI reported. Officials noted a gradual rise in infections over the past 20 days.
A steady rise over the past 20 days has prompted calls for mask use, hand hygiene, and testing for SARI symptoms. The Chief Minister urged the central government to enforce precautionary measures for international travelers amid rising global cases.
Key highlights:
Covid-19 surge in Bengaluru: 32 of Karnataka’s 35 active Covid cases are from Bengaluru.
Infant among Cases: A nine-month-old baby from Hoskote tested positive on May 22 and is stable, receiving treatment at Vani Vilas Hospital.
Steady rise in cases: Health officials report a gradual increase over the past 20 days, though no serious cases have emerged.
Advisory for vulnerable groups: Pregnant women, children, immuno-compromised individuals, and those with comorbidities advised to wear masks in crowded areas.
Precautionary measures urged:
Use of hand sanitizers and testing for those with SARI symptoms recommended.Appeal to centre: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the central government to implement screening and safety protocols for international travellers amid global case surges.
Tamil Nadu situation
Tamil Nadu has seen a recent uptick with 12 new cases in Puducherry. In Chennai, many fevers previously diagnosed as influenza are now testing positive for Covid-19. Some hospitals have postponed critical surgeries to reduce infection risk. Experts note Covid-19 now dominates viral infections in the region. Public health officials urge caution but discourage panic.
Key Highlights:
Rising cases: 12 new Covid cases reported in Puducherry; spike noted in Chennai.
Shift in diagnosis: Fevers once attributed to influenza are now often testing positive for Covid.
Medical impact: Some hospitals are delaying organ transplants and heart surgeries due to infection risks.
Expert insight: Covid-19 now makes up a larger share of viral infections, overtaking influenza.
Health advisory: No need for panic, but public urged to be cautious, especially in crowded places.
Ongoing circulation: Covid-19 continues to exist at low levels with seasonal increases, officials say.
Haryana
Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Saturday urged the public to stay calm, stating that all necessary measures are in place. As of May 23, the state has four active cases—two each in Gurugram and Faridabad—with no recent international travel history linked to the infections.
Telangana
A pulmonologist in Hyderabad tested positive and has since recovered. Officials confirmed that the patient, a Kukatpally resident, adhered to isolation protocols. All close contacts were traced and monitored.
Andhra Pradesh
State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav confirmed four new Covid-19 cases on Friday—three in Visakhapatnam and one in the Rayalaseema region. The first case involved a woman in Vizag who tested positive on Thursday. Her family member and a postgraduate medical student also tested positive the following day.
New Covid-19 Variant NB.1.8.1: What you need to know
A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has gained global attention as of May 2025. It is a descendant of the JN.1 variant, itself part of the Omicron lineage, and was first identified in China, where it has become the dominant strain.
The variant has since spread across Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong, and has now been detected in the United States through airport screenings in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York.
WHO classification
The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) since May 23, 2025, noting a steady rise in its global presence. It is derived from the recombinant variant XDV.1.5.1, with the first known sample collected on January 22, 2025.
Symptoms
NB.1.8.1’s symptoms are similar to previous Omicron variants and include:
Sore throat
Fatigue
Mild cough
Fever
Muscle aches
Nasal congestion
Some cases have also reported:
Persistent low-grade hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)
Headaches
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Digestive issues
Transmissibility
Preliminary findings suggest higher transmissibility due to improved binding to human cells. However, no evidence so far indicates more severe illness compared to other circulating variants.
Precautions
To reduce risk:
Stay updated with vaccines and boosters
Wear masks in crowded or enclosed areas
Maintain hand hygiene
Monitor symptoms and test if unwell
Follow local health advisories
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely to guide responses and prevent further spread.
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