India Reports Mild Rise in COVID-19 Cases as Health Officials Monitor New Variants

As of May 25, 2025, India is witnessing a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases, with the Union Health Ministry reporting 275 active infections nationwide. The majority of these cases are mild and are being managed through home isolation, according to health officials. No significant outbreaks have been reported, but authorities are urging citizens to remain alert.

Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, stated that the current situation does not warrant panic. He mentioned that the cases are sporadic and are being managed easily without hospitalizations. Dr. Chatterjee emphasized that COVID-19 is now behaving like a seasonal flu that can be treated effectively.

1. Kerala: 95 cases

2. Tamil Nadu: 66 cases

3. Maharashtra: 56 cases

4. Delhi: 5 cases

5. Gujarat: 7 cases

6. Haryana: 1 case

7. Karnataka: 13 cases

8. Puducherry: 10 cases

9. Rajasthan: 2 cases

10. Sikkim: 1 case

11. West Bengal: 1 case

Two new COVID-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, have been reported in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, respectively. These variants are under monitoring by health authorities to assess their transmissibility and impact.

Health officials have confirmed that two new variants, NB.1.8.1 (found in Gujarat) and LF.7 (detected in Tamil Nadu), are under active genomic surveillance. These variants are sub-lineages of Omicron, as reported by international studies such as those from GISAID and Nextstrain, which continue to map SARS-CoV-2 mutations globally.^[1]

While these variants have not shown signs of increased severity or immune escape so far, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are conducting genomic analysis to determine their transmission patterns.^[2]

Despite the mild nature of most cases, two COVID-19-related deaths have been reported recently:

• A 21-year-old diabetic patient in Thane, Maharashtra, succumbed to complications related to COVID-19.

• An 84-year-old individual with comorbidities died in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

These cases highlight the continued vulnerability of individuals with underlying health conditions, even in the presence of less virulent variants.

The Union Health Ministry has not issued any new restrictions but is urging the public to remain vigilant. Citizens are advised to:

• Wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces

• Maintain hand hygiene

• Monitor symptoms like fever, cough, or fatigue

• Get tested if symptoms appear

Vaccination coverage continues to provide a strong shield. Studies such as one by The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2024) underscore that booster doses significantly reduce the severity and mortality of Omicron subvariants.^[3]

Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and advise the public to adhere to safety protocols, including mask-wearing in crowded places and maintaining hygiene.

References:

1. GISAID. (2025). SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance data.

2. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2025). Annual Bulletin.

3. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. (2024). Effectiveness of COVID-19 boosters against Omicron variants.

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)