Key Points
- India’s active Covid-19 cases have surged to 3,758 as of June 1, a more than 1200% increase in just ten days.
- Kerala leads with 1,400 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (485), Delhi (436), Gujarat (320), and West Bengal (287).
- Four deaths were reported in the past 24 hours one each in Kerala, Karnataka, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
- The spike is driven by new Omicron subvariants (LF.7, NB.1.8.1, XFG, JN.1), which are more transmissible but not causing severe illness so far.
- Most cases are mild, with symptoms resembling common flu; health officials advise vigilance but not panic.
New Delhi: India is witnessing a significant resurgence of Covid-19, with active cases soaring to 3,758 as of June 1, 2025, according to the Union Health Ministry. This marks a staggering jump from just 257 active cases reported on May 22 a more than twelve-fold increase in less than two weeks. The surge is attributed to the rapid spread of new Omicron subvariants, including LF.7, NB.1.8.1, XFG, and JN.1.
Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra Lead New Wave
Kerala remains the epicenter of the current wave, reporting 1,400 active cases, the highest in the country. Maharashtra (485), Delhi (436), Gujarat (320), and West Bengal (287) are also seeing significant increases. Other states with notable case counts include Karnataka (238), Tamil Nadu (199), and Uttar Pradesh (149).
In the past 24 hours alone, 363 new infections and four deaths were recorded one each in Kerala, Karnataka, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. The fatalities primarily involved elderly individuals or those with pre-existing health conditions.
Surge Driven by Omicron Subvariants
Health experts and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have traced the latest spike to new Omicron subvariants LF.7, NB.1.8.1, XFG, and JN.1 classified as “Variants Under Monitoring” by the World Health Organization. These variants are highly transmissible and capable of partial immune evasion, but so far, they are not linked to increased severity or hospitalizations.
Symptoms reported in most cases are mild and include low-grade fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue similar to seasonal flu. Most patients are recovering at home, and no significant rise in severe cases has been observed.
Statewise Breakdown of Active Cases (as of June 1, 2025)
| State | Active Cases |
|---|---|
| Kerala | 1,400 |
| Maharashtra | 485 |
| Delhi | 436 |
| Gujarat | 320 |
| West Bengal | 287 |
| Karnataka | 238 |
| Tamil Nadu | 199 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 149 |
| Rajasthan | 62 |
| Puducherry | 45 |
| Haryana | 30 |
Health Ministry and ICMR: No Cause for Panic, But Vigilance Needed
Despite the rapid rise in cases, health officials urge the public not to panic. Dr. Rajiv Behl, Director General of ICMR, emphasized that the infection rate is high but the severity remains low. “We should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry,” Dr. Behl said, noting that the current variants are not causing a spike in hospitalizations or deaths among the general population.
The Ministry of Health has issued advisories to hospitals to ensure readiness with oxygen supplies, medicines, and beds, especially in states seeing the highest surges. Testing has been ramped up, and genome sequencing is ongoing to monitor for further mutations.
Vaccine Effectiveness
Current vaccines continue to offer protection against severe disease from these Omicron subvariants, and booster doses are recommended for vulnerable populations.
India is experiencing a rapid but largely mild surge in Covid-19 cases, driven by new Omicron subvariants. Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi are the most affected, but health authorities stress that most cases are mild and manageable. Four deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, primarily among high-risk groups. Officials urge continued vigilance, adherence to precautions, and vaccination, but say there is no reason for public alarm at this stage.
