India's active COVID-19 cases cross 1,000 mark; Bihar, Jharkhand report first infections

The number of active COVID-19 cases in the country has crossed the 1,000-mark, with fresh infections being reported from several states, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday.

As per the ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of active cases stood at 1,009 as of Monday morning. Delhi accounted for 104 of these infections, while Kerala remained the worst-affected with 430 active cases, 335 of which have been reported since May 19. Maharashtra has 209 cases, followed by Gujarat with 83, Tamil Nadu with 69 and Karnataka with 47.

Bihar on Monday reported its first COVID-19 case in the current wave after a 31-year-old man from Patna tested positive. The patient, who is receiving treatment at a private hospital, has no recent travel history outside the state.

“A man from Patna with no history of travelling outside the state recently has tested positive for COVID-19. The level of infection is very mild. The case is being monitored closely and all necessary protocols are being followed,” PTI quoted Patna Civil Surgeon Abinash Kumar Singh as saying.

Jharkhand also registered its first case of the current surge on Sunday, with a positive case confirmed in Ranchi.

“Today, we received the official confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in Ranchi of the current wave. His condition is stable and he is not showing any other complications,” Ranchi Civil Surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said.

The infected individual shared on social media, “There are 257 confirmed COVID-19 cases in India so far, and I am one of them.”

Meanwhile, the ministry has confirmed that Maharashtra has reported four COVID-19-related deaths since May 19. Kerala has reported two fatalities, while Karnataka has registered one death.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said there is no need to panic about COVID-19 cases, even as she asserted that the hospitals were fully prepared to tackle if the number rises.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, she said, "We have details of the COVID-19 cases. Our hospitals have all the facilities. We have also issued an advisory."

"We have analysed the scenario and there is no panic situation," she said.

INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) has identified four cases of the LF.7 variant in Gujarat and one case of the NB.1.8.1 variant in Tamil Nadu. Both variants are currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs)" and are not designated as Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (VOIs).

The NB.1.8.1 variant carries spike protein mutations — A435S, V445H, and T478I — which suggest increased transmissibility and potential immune evasion. However, WHO continues to assess its global public health risk as low.

INSACOG data shows the JN.1 variant remains the most prevalent in India, accounting for 53% of all samples, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sub-lineages (20%).

Medical professionals have urged the public to remain vigilant but calm.

Dr Dhruv Chauhan, national spokesperson for the Indian Medical Association's Junior Doctors Network, described JN.1 as a “non-lethal variant,” recommending mask usage in healthcare and crowded settings, hand hygiene, and consultation with qualified medical professionals if symptoms appear.

“Panic and chaos can cause more health issues than the disease itself,” he said.

Dr Nihal Singh, an internal medicine specialist, said, “We must understand that while the JN.1 variant is spreading, it has not shown signs of causing serious illness in the majority of cases. Panic doesn't help; awareness does.”

Dr Aviral Mathur, Associate Consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said the strain is highly transmissible but generally mild in impact.

“Still, prevention is key. We urge the public to wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, practice hand hygiene and avoid unnecessary travel if unwell. Make sure your vaccinations, including booster doses, are up to date,” he added.