COVID-19 Update: Active Cases Rise to 3,395; Kerala and Delhi Worst Affected

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 1, 2025: India is witnessing a concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases, with active infections reaching 3,395, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s latest update. In the past 24 hours, four deaths have been reported, raising alarms across several states.

Kerala remains the hardest hit, registering 189 new infections and pushing its active caseload to 1,336—accounting for nearly half of the country’s total active cases. Delhi follows with 81 fresh cases, bringing its active tally to 375, while West Bengal added 89 new infections, raising its count to 205.

Maharashtra, which has experienced recurring surges in past waves, reported 43 new cases, bringing its total infections this year to 467, according to the state’s public health department.

New Variants Under Monitoring
The rise in infections is attributed to evolving variants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 are classified as Variants Under Monitoring, indicating they have not yet been escalated to the Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest categories. These strains are suspected contributors to the rising cases in India, China, and other parts of Asia.

However, the JN.1 strain continues to dominate, accounting for 53% of all positive cases nationwide. Data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) indicates that NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat earlier this month.

Health Advisory
Despite the emergence of these variants, hospitalisation rates remain low. Health authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of mask use in crowded areas, proper hygiene, and timely testing.

Experts have warned that symptoms such as fatigue, sore throat, and gastrointestinal discomfort, though mild, should not be ignored. Early testing and isolation remain critical to preventing further spread.

Stay updated and prioritize safety measures as the nation grapples with this resurgence.