India’s active COVID-19 cases cross 1,000 with seven deaths

In the past week, seven people have died from the virus, which has resurged after a prolonged quiet period. Until May 19, the country had recorded only one COVID-19 death.

However, Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said there was no cause for concern. "As of now, the severity is generally low. There's nothing to worry about. We should be vigilant and we should always be prepared," the ICMR DG asserted.

Dr Behl noted an increase in cases—initially in the south, then the west, and now northern India. All cases are being monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), he added.

“People do not need to take any immediate action. They should follow normal precautions. There is nothing special to do right now,” he said.

When asked about the need for booster doses, he said there was no current requirement for vaccination. “India has the capability to make vaccines and if needed, we can produce any vaccine quickly.”

The rise in COVID-19 cases in India coincides with a sharp spike in cases in several Southeast Asian countries, especially Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand.

According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), India has detected one case of the emerging variant NB.1.8.1 and four cases of the LF.7 type. One NB.1.8.1 case was identified in April in Tamil Nadu, while four LF.7 cases were found in Gujarat in May.

Speaking about the new variants, Dr Behl said genome sequencing of samples from western and southern India shows these new variants are not severe and belong to Omicron sub-lineages including LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1. The first three variants are more prevalent, he added.

“Samples from other regions are being sequenced and we will know within a day or two if there are more variants.”

Of the more than 1,000 active cases, Kerala reported 430 cases during the week of May 19-26, compared to 95 cases till May 19. The southern state also reported two deaths.

Maharashtra reported 209 active cases and four deaths, a sharp rise from 56 cases as of May 19.

Delhi has also seen an increase in cases.

The capital recorded 105 active cases, compared to just five on May 19, according to Krishna Prasad, a health data analyst based in Kerala. “Delhi has reported a sharp rise in cases within a week. From May 19-26, Delhi reported 99 active cases. Till May 19, there were only five cases,” he said.