Covid cases rising in India are prompting health authorities to step up monitoring and preparedness, as several cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Gurgaon, and Pune report a noticeable uptick in infections. While overall national numbers remain low, regional spikes are triggering concern, especially amid similar resurgences in parts of Asia like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Mumbai alone has logged 95 new Covid cases in May, nearly matching Maharashtra’s total of 106 cases since January. Sixteen patients have been hospitalized, prompting authorities to transfer them from KEM Hospital to Seven Hills to prevent further spread. Covid testing has been resumed for all patients presenting with ILI or SARI symptoms.
In Haryana, Gurgaon and Faridabad have reported three cases, including individuals with and without travel history. Meanwhile, Covid cases rising in India has led Pune to preemptively reserve 50 beds at Naidu Hospital, despite only one recorded case in May.
Tamil Nadu has seen similar patterns. Chennai doctors report that cases initially diagnosed as influenza are now testing positive for Covid-19. “Two weeks ago, most were influenza A or B. Now it’s Covid-19,” said Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan.
Karnataka and Gujarat have also reported a spike. Gujarat logged seven cases in a single day in Ahmedabad—an unusual rise. Most of the current cases are linked to the new OF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, which the WHO is tracking as a “variant of interest.”
Experts attribute the rise to waning immunity, increased social interaction, and relaxed precautions. While most cases are mild, elderly and vulnerable individuals remain at higher risk. Authorities are urging caution but say there’s no need for panic.
