Kerala and Maharashtra Lead with Highest Cases as New Variants Emerge
New Delhi: India is witnessing a resurgence of COVID-19, with active cases climbing to 1252 as of May 29, 2025, and a total of 13 deaths reported so far. The spike has put health authorities on alert, particularly in states like Kerala and Maharashtra, which are bearing the brunt of the outbreak.
Kerala and Maharashtra: The Hotspots
Kerala reports the highest number of active cases at 430, followed by Maharashtra with 325 cases, of which 316 are from Mumbai alone. Maharashtra has also recorded the highest number of deaths, with fatalities reported in Thane, including a woman and a 21-year-old man who succumbed during treatment. The state’s health infrastructure is under scrutiny as it grapples with the rising caseload.
Deaths Across States Raise Concerns
The 13 deaths span multiple states: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh account for 11, while a recent death in Chandigarh involved a patient from Uttar Pradesh working in Ludhiana, Punjab. The patient, admitted due to breathing difficulties, tested positive for COVID-19. In Rajasthan, two deaths were reported on May 26 in Jaipur—one at a railway station and another involving a 26-year-old with pre-existing tuberculosis. Bengaluru also reported the death of an 84-year-old on May 17 due to multi-organ failure, later confirmed as COVID-positive.
New Variants Under Scrutiny
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) identified four Omicron subvariants—LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1—in samples from southern and western India. JN.1 remains the dominant strain, comprising over 50% of sequenced samples, followed by BA.2 and other Omicron sublineages. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 as Variants Under Monitoring, noting their presence in rising cases across Asia, including China. However, both ICMR and WHO emphasize that these variants are not causing severe illness, with most cases remaining mild.
Health Measures Amid PM’s Visit
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi touring Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on May 29-30, the health department is on high alert. Instructions have been issued to test all individuals within a 100-meter radius of the PM for COVID-19, reflecting heightened caution amid the surge. This comes as posts on X reveal public concern, with users like
@Rajeev4BJP urging vigilance as cases rise.
Expert Insights and Public Sentiment
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, ICMR Director, reassured the public that the situation is not alarming but stressed the need for caution. Experts attribute the surge to seasonal changes, waning immunity, and increased detection. A 2025 study by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) notes that NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 may be more transmissible due to spike protein mutations, but hospitalization rates remain low. Meanwhile, posts on X, such as
@DainikBhaskar’s claim of vaccines being ineffective against new variants, lack substantiation and contradict WHO’s stance that current vaccines remain effective.
A Call for Vigilance
As India navigates this uptick, health authorities are intensifying surveillance and genome sequencing to track variant spread. States like Delhi, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu are also reporting cases, with Delhi at 104 active cases. While the situation is manageable, experts urge mask-wearing, hygiene, and vaccination to curb transmission, especially for vulnerable groups.
