COVID-19 surge continues as active cases cross 3,700 with Kerala topping the list
Kerala remains the most affected state, now accounting for 1,400 active cases, the highest in the country, followed by Maharashtra with 485 cases and Delhi with 436
The number of COVID-19 cases continued their upward trend in the country on Sunday (June 1) with active infections surging to 3,758, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The jump represents a sharp climb from just 257 cases on May 22, signalling a more than tenfold increase in less than a fortnight. “Kerala remains the most affected state, now accounting for 1,400 active cases, the highest in the country. It is followed by Maharashtra with 485 cases and Delhi with 436,” as per a report in The Economic Times.
Also read | Active COVID cases rise to 2,710 in India; 7 new deaths reported
The number of people who have recovered or been discharged since January 1 now stands at 1,818. In the last 24 hours alone, 383 individuals were discharged.
Two more deaths
Meanwhile, India reported two more COVID-related deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide toll for 2025 to 28. The new fatalities were reported from Karnataka and Kerala.
A 63-year-old male, hailing from Karnataka, who tested positive for COVID-19 succumbed to complications. He had pre-existing conditions including pulmonary tuberculosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.
In Kerala, the victim was a 24-year-old female suffering from COVID-19, sepsis, hypertension, and decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD).
Delhi among worst-hit
Delhi also reported three COVID-related deaths in total, while Maharashtra and Kerala have recorded seven each since January.
Significantly, Delhi remains one of the worst-hit regions in the current wave, logging 436 active cases, an increase of 61 since the previous update, as per the report. The capital also reported 91 recoveries and three cumulative deaths so far this year.
In response, the Delhi government had earlier issued a hospital advisory, instructing medical facilities to ensure the availability of oxygen supplies, medicines, hospital beds, and life-support systems such as ventilators and BiPAP machines.
Other states such as Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh have also recorded small but notable increases.
Authorities call for calm
However, despite the rising numbers, health authorities continue to urge calm. The Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) maintain that most cases are mild and manageable under home care.
Also read | No cause for worry, but precautions must: Karnataka minister on Covid spike
Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), recently said that genome sequencing of samples in the west and south has shown that the variants fuelling the current rise in cases are not severe and are subvariants of Omicron.
Four subvariants of Omicron -- LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1 -- have been found. The first three have been found in more number of cases, he said. “We have been closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, overall, we should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry,” Dr Behl said.