COVID-19 cases surge across India with Maharashtra reporting first death; new variants under watch.
India is grappling with a worrying rise in COVID-19 infections, as states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi report increasing case numbers. While officials urge calm, the recent developments cast a shadow over the nation’s pandemic recovery.
Karnataka currently records 80 active COVID-19 cases, with Bengaluru alone accounting for 73. The state’s Health Minister, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, insists the government is taking no chances. Healthcare professionals have received strict advisories to remain alert and prepared amid the uptick. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Karnataka branch has also issued guidelines aimed at containing the surge.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reassured the public by stating that the virus strain circulating in the state is “not serious.” Nonetheless, he stressed the importance of maintaining precautionary measures like hygiene and mask usage to curb transmission. Despite the reassurances, the presence of active cases remains a cause for concern.
Maharashtra recently reported its first Covid-19 death in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, marking a stark escalation beyond metropolitan areas. The death has heightened fears about the virus’s spread in smaller urban centres. Alongside the fatality, the Thane Municipal Corporation disclosed 36 detected cases within its jurisdiction, with nine patients hospitalised and 20 others in home quarantine.
The affected individuals include a woman who died, another patient with mild symptoms discharged after treatment, a third receiving care in a private hospital, and a fourth transferred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital in Kalwa. This grim milestone serves as a stark reminder that the virus continues to threaten lives far beyond the major cities.
In Haryana’s Gurugram, two fresh Covid cases have emerged, bringing the city’s total to six. Health authorities have launched contact tracing and monitoring efforts to prevent further spread. The new cases involve a 51-year-old woman from Sushant Lok Phase 1 and a 30-year-old woman from South City, reflecting the virus’s continued reach.
Delhi currently reports 104 active Covid cases. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta downplayed the severity, likening the infections to “viral fever” and urging residents not to panic. She assured the public that hospitals remain on high alert and ready to manage any escalation. Despite these reassurances, the growing caseload indicates persistent viral activity in the capital.
Nationally, India’s active Covid caseload has crossed the 1,000 mark, reaching 1,010 as of 27 May 2025. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) emphasises that the current situation is manageable and not cause for alarm, while advising continued vigilance to prevent further spread.
Two new Covid-19 sub-variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, have been detected and are under close monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO). Both remain classified as Variants Under Monitoring rather than Variants of Concern. Early observations suggest these sub-variants may carry mutations that influence transmissibility but show no evidence of increased disease severity or resistance to vaccines.
Kerala continues to report the highest number of active cases at 430, followed by Maharashtra with 210 and Delhi with 104. Other states with notable cases include Gujarat (83), Tamil Nadu (69), Karnataka (47), Uttar Pradesh (15), Rajasthan (13), and West Bengal (12).
The ongoing rise in cases, coupled with the emergence of new variants, highlights the delicate balance India faces in managing the pandemic’s next phase. Authorities continue to urge the public to adhere to recommended safety protocols, including mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and timely testing, to stem transmission.
While the current Covid-19 wave appears less severe than earlier outbreaks, its persistence and geographic spread underscore the importance of sustained surveillance and preparedness. With health officials closely watching developments, India remains on alert amid this cautious resurgence
