India’s active COVID-19 cases cross 6,000; Kerala remains most affected

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) reported that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 6,133 on Sunday.

In the past 24 hours, the country has recorded six new deaths related to COVID-19 — two in Karnataka, three in Kerala, and one in Tamil Nadu.

Kerala remains the most significantly impacted state, with active cases surging to 1,950 after 144 new infections were reported over the last day.

This rise highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public health authorities in the state that reported India’s first case of COVID-19 on Jan.30, 2020.

Upon arriving in Kochi, the medical student who returned from the Chinese epicentre of Wuhan tested positive for the virus. She survived the attack.

Kerala stopped publishing the daily coronavirus infection data on April 10, 2022, saying the pandemic was under control and relaxed the mask rule.

The new surge in cases in India is primarily attributed to new Omicron sub-variants, including JN.1, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, and XFC. These variants have demonstrated increased transmissibility while typically causing mild symptoms.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies these as "variants under monitoring,” indicating they are not yet a cause for serious concern, but warrant vigilance and care.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has not been eradicated. However, its behaviour has shifted,

Its status has changed from unpredictable emergency to a more manageable public health challenge, resembling a recurring cycle of illnesses, like the seasonal flu.

Authorities say this evolving landscape underscores the significance of continued public health efforts and community engagement in mitigating the spread of the virus.

Following Kerala, other states with notable active cases include Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi. The national capital has documented 21 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its cumulative total to 686.

Meanwhile, West Bengal reported 71 new cases, increasing its active case count to 693.

In terms of recovery, 53 individuals were cured, discharged, or transferred from hospitals across West Bengal during this period.

As of Sunday morning, data from nationwide indicated that 753 patients have successfully recovered, been discharged, or migrated.

Authorities said this statistic is crucial in assessing the overall effectiveness of ongoing treatment plans.

Since the beginning of the year, the total fatalities have reached 65, with 15 occurring in Kerala alone.

In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, multiple technical review meetings were convened on June 2 and 3.

These discussions involved various stakeholders, including representatives of the Disaster Management Cell and the Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell.

These meetings aimed to evaluate the current COVID-19 situation and enhance preparedness measures critically.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), along with officials from federal government hospitals in Delhi and representatives from all states and Union Territories (UTs), are monitoring its behaviour.