Covid-19 in India Live Updates: Cases rise to 4,302; five deaths in 24 hours, Kerala leads daily surge

Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Kerala health department has issued fresh advisories to hospitals and healthcare workers. Both government and private hospitals have been directed to conduct mock drills, with a Google Form to be shared soon for online reporting.

Hospitals have also been instructed to strictly follow the revised ABC Guidelines 03, issued in June 2023, for the treatment of patients showing COVID-19 or influenza-like symptoms.

Sikkim has reported four new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, amid a modest but noticeable rise in infections across India’s northeastern states, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

A total of 12 new cases were recorded in the region, including six in Assam and two in Mizoram, as part of the ongoing national surge that has pushed India’s active caseload to 4,026.

Amid a steady rise in COVID-19 cases, official sources on May 31 clarified that the situation in India is under close watch, but there is no cause for alarm. Most infections remain mild, with the majority of patients recovering at home, they said.

Dr. Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said on Monday that genome sequencing of samples from western and southern India has confirmed that the current surge is being driven by Omicron sub-variants, which are not associated with severe illness.

Gujarat reported 108 new COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, taking the state’s active caseload to 461, the health department said on Tuesday. The fatality was recorded in Ahmedabad.

Of the active cases, 20 patients are hospitalised, while the remaining 441 are under home isolation. The state also discharged 43 patients following recovery.

According to officials, all recent infections are linked to the Omicron sub-variants LF.7.9 and XFG Recombinant, which are known to cause mild symptoms such as fever and cough.

(From PTI)

Experts say that waning immunity, either from past infections or vaccination, is leaving people vulnerable to reinfections. While symptoms remain mild in most cases, the virus continues to mutate, and some variants may have better immune evasion properties, contributing to fresh surges globally.

At least one sample of the newly observed NB.1.8.1 variant has been submitted from Tamil Nadu to India’s genome sequencing network, INSACOG, according to The Indian Express. The variant is being closely tracked for its potential to alter transmission patterns.

Kerala remains the most affected state with 1,446 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (494), Gujarat (397), and Delhi (393).

Indore added two fresh COVID-19 cases, bringing its total since January to 25. One patient had returned from Delhi.

Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district reported its first COVID-19 case — an 82-year-old woman who tested positive during a hospital visit for cold and cough symptoms.

Andhra Pradesh has recorded 38 COVID-19 cases over the last 21 days, according to state health official MT Krishna Babu.

West Bengal reported 41 new COVID-19 cases and one death. The deceased was a 43-year-old from Howrah with kidney and heart-related complications.

A 53-year-old Gwalior man tested COVID-positive after returning from Mumbai, according to health officials. He is currently under home isolation.

In response to rising cases, Palghar district officials held a disaster readiness meeting chaired by Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik. Key decisions included:

Mandatory disinfection of public spaces and restaurants.

Setup of dedicated COVID centres in every taluka.

Cleaning and sanitisation of schools before reopening post-vacation.

Gujarat: 108 new cases and one death; active cases now at 461.

Maharashtra: 86 new cases; total infections since Jan 1 at 959; active cases at 510.

Kerala: Leads with 1,446 active cases, the highest in India.

According to official data:

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal reported one death each.

Maharashtra reported two deaths, both in Nagpur, with one death each in Chandrapur and Miraj reported since Monday.

India's active COVID-19 cases have crossed 4,000, with fresh spikes reported in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Delhi. As of June 3, the nationwide active caseload stands at 4,026, according to the Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, five deaths were reported — one each in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, and two in Maharashtra.

While major states are seeing steady surges, smaller clusters are emerging in Gwalior and Himachal’s Sirmaur district, prompting a fresh round of advisories and preparedness reviews by local authorities.