India has witnessed a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases, with active infections rising from 257 on May 19 to 1,009 by May 26, 2025, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This marks the first time in 2025 that the active caseload has crossed the 1,000 mark.
State-wise Breakdown
Kerala leads the surge with 430 active cases, followed by Maharashtra with 209 and Delhi with 104. Other states such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have also reported increases, though their numbers remain comparatively lower.
In Maharashtra, Mumbai has been the most affected city, recording 35 new cases on Sunday, bringing the city’s total for May to 242. Despite the rise, medical professionals have indicated that COVID-19 is currently behaving like any other virus and have urged the public not to panic.@EconomicTimes+2The Times of India+2Etemaad Daily+2
Variant Surveillance
The recent surge is attributed to the emergence of new variants, including NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, identified through wastewater surveillance by CSIR-Neeri and the WHO’s South East Asia Regional Office. These variants are currently classified as “Variants Under Monitoring” due to their potential for increased transmissibility and immune evasion.
As of May 19, the predominant variant in India remains JN.1, accounting for 53% of samples tested, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sublineages (20%). Localized increases in COVID-19 cases have been observed in several regions, including Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bengaluru, Kerala, and Nagpur.
Public Health Response
Health authorities emphasize that while the new variants are being monitored, the overall risk … The public is advised to continue practicing preventive measures such as wearing masks … minimize infection risk.
The Union Health Ministry has conducted reviews of the current situation and advised states to undertake mock drills across all health facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, logistics, and human resources. The Times of India+2News18+2India Today+2
Public Advisory
Medical experts advise individuals to remain vigilant and adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviors, including wearing masks in crowded places, practicing hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distancing. Vaccination remains a critical tool in preventing severe illness, and eligible individuals are encouraged to receive booster doses as recommended.
The situation is being closely monitored, and authorities are prepared to implement additional measures if necessary to curb the spread of the virus.@EconomicTimes
