Covid cases cross 2,700; 7 deaths reported. Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst hit

New Delhi: Active Covid-19 cases in India surged to 2,710, with Kerala accounting for most of the infections, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Coronavius cases have been rising in India after months of lull, with infections seeing a five-fold jump and crossing the 1,000-mark in the week ending May 25.

According to the data, Kerala has recorded 1,147 cases, followed by Maharashtra (424), Delhi (294), and Gujarat (223). Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have recorded 148 cases each, while West Bengal has registered 116 cases.

Seven deaths have also been recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the toll in the first five months of this year to 22. In the past 24 hours, Maharashtra has reported two deaths, while Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have registered one each, India Today reported Saturday.

However, most of the Covid cases have been reported to be mild, and there is no need to panic, the Health Ministry has said.

The fact that Kerala has registered the highest number of cases could simply be due to the state conducting more tests.

Mizoram has also reported two Covid cases, seven months after the last such case was reported in the state.

THE COVID VARIANTS BEHIND THE SURGE

Two new Omicron sub-variants – LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 – are believed to be contributing to this sudden spike in Covid cases, though JN.1 remains the dominant strain in the country.

So far, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not classified either LF.7 or NB.1.8 as Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (VOIs).

Experts have suggested that while the new variants may have the capability to evade immunity to some extent, there is no evidence to suggest they could cause severe long-term infection.

The symptoms are largely consistent with those of the common flu. Some symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, exhaustion.

Amid the spike in cases, several states have directed hospitals to maintain the availability of beds, oxygen cylinders, testing kits, and vaccines. Elderly and those with co-morbidities have been advised to wear masks while going to crowded areas.