Covid creeps back into Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, but should you worry?

Covid

Covid-19 infections are seeing a gradual uptick across major Indian cities, with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and parts of Gujarat, Kerala, and Haryana reporting new cases after months of calm. Health authorities have urged public caution while stressing that the situation remains under control.

Delhi: 23 cases, advisory issued
Delhi reported 23 fresh Covid-19 cases, marking the first notable spike in nearly three years. Health Minister Pankaj Singh said all patients are stable with mild, flu-like symptoms and that there is "no need to panic." The Delhi government has issued an advisory asking all hospitals to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, essential medicines, and vaccines.

A special eight-member team has been formed to monitor the situation. Hospitals have been instructed to report daily data, ensure the readiness of all equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, and send positive samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital. Staff refresher training and reporting of ILI and SARI cases on the IHIP portal have also been mandated.

"This is routine surveillance. We are committed to monitoring the situation," the Delhi Health Minister’s office said in a statement.

Also Read: Bengaluru: 9-month-old baby boy tests positive for Covid-19, confirms health dept

Mumbai and Bengaluru see steady rise

Mumbai has logged 95 Covid-19 cases in May so far, with 16 hospitalizations reported. Transfers of patients are underway from KEM to Seven Hills Hospital. Authorities have mandated testing for all SARI and ILI cases.

In Karnataka, 32 of the state’s 35 active cases are from Bengaluru, including a nine-month-old child currently under treatment at Vani Vilas Hospital. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed the numbers on May 21 and urged high-risk groups to follow Covid-appropriate behavior.

Read: Delhi reports 23 COVID-19 cases, govt issues advisory to hospitals

Other states on alert

Gujarat recorded 15 new cases on Thursday, while Kerala has seen 182 new infections this month, according to Health Minister Veena George. Haryana reported four cases, with two each from Gurugram and Faridabad.

Dr. Aviral Mathur of Sir Gangaram Hospital advised continued vigilance. “The JN.1 variant is highly transmissible, but symptoms remain mostly mild. Still, prevention is key. Wear masks in crowded spaces, practice hygiene, and keep vaccinations up to date.”

With rising but still modest case counts, authorities are ramping up surveillance and preparedness while reiterating that there is no cause for alarm, only caution.

Read: Two Covid deaths in Kerala, active cases double to 182 in 2 days - What health ministry says