Covid-19 in India: Active cases at 257; Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu report fresh infections

Authorities have directed hospitals to stay alert and monitor for cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

India currently has 257 active COVID-19 cases, most of which are mild and do not require hospitalisation, according to official data.

Kerala has reported the highest number of recent infections with 69 new cases since May 12, followed by Maharashtra (44) and Tamil Nadu (34). Other states reporting new infections include Karnataka (8), Gujarat (6), Delhi (3), and one case each in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim.

In Mumbai, two Covid-linked deaths were recently reported at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. According to doctors, states a Hindustan Times report, the fatalities involved patients with serious comorbidities - a 14-year-old suffering from nephrotic syndrome-induced kidney failure and a 54-year-old undergoing cancer treatment.

In addition, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has acknowledged a marginal uptick in infections this month but maintains there is no cause for panic.

Authorities have directed hospitals to stay alert and monitor for cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Surveillance is being maintained through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR networks, ensuring early detection and response to any changes in the situation.

Globally, the situation looks concerning.

In Singapore, weekly infections surged from 11,100 in late April to 14,200 in the first week of May, marking a 28 percent jump.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, reported its highest Covid-related weekly death toll in a year, with 31 fatalities in the first week of May. New infections there shot up to 1,042 from 972 the previous week, up sharply from just 33 weekly cases in early March.

In the meantime, as concerns continue to rise globally over a new wave of infections in Southeast Asia, Indian health authorities have reviewed the country’s preparedness and asserted that the domestic situation remains firmly under control.

The Health Ministry, on Monday, conducted a comprehensive review amid the sharp rise in Covid cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, primarily driven by Omicron subvariants such as JN.1 and its lineage. A high-level meeting, chaired by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), was attended by officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, Disaster Management Cell, and key Central government hospitals.