India’s active COVID-19 cases cross 3,000 mark; 4 deaths reported in last 24 hours

India’s active COVID-19 cases crossed the 3,000 mark on Saturday, with Kerala reporting the highest number of infections, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry.

The country reported 685 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of active infections to 3,395, while 1,435 people have recovered since January 1 this year. The cumulative death toll rose to 265, with four new fatalities reported from Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, the ministry said.

Health officials stressed that there is no cause for alarm as most cases are mild and patients are recovering under home isolation.

The COVID-19 situation is being closely monitored, and genome sequencing has revealed that the infections are driven by subvariants of Omicron, including LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, all of which are associated with lower severity, according to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Dr Rajiv Behl.

The rise in infections has prompted states like Karnataka to issue fresh public advisories urging citizens to wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, and report symptoms promptly.

"In light of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, the state continues to monitor and manage Covid-19 through ongoing efforts to prevent transmission, detect cases, and provide care," the advisory issued by the state's Health and Family Welfare Services department stated.

The advisory urged people to stay alert but not panic, cooperate with surveillance efforts, and report unusual increases in flu-like symptoms on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).

State-wise case summary

As per official data, Kerala leads with 1,336 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (467), Delhi (375), Gujarat (265), Karnataka (234), West Bengal (205), Tamil Nadu (185), and Uttar Pradesh (117).

Delhi reported three deaths so far, with one new fatality—a 71-year-old man with pneumonia and septic shock. Kerala’s latest fatality was a 59-year-old male with multiple comorbidities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Karnataka reported the death of a 63-year-old man from Bengaluru Urban on May 29. He had pulmonary tuberculosis and squamous cell carcinoma and succumbed to complications, including thrombosis and cancer cachexia. Though he tested positive for COVID-19, officials noted that it was an incidental finding.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the death of a 23-year-old man who was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh. He had underlying comorbid conditions, the details of which are awaited.

From May 22 to June 1, the number of active COVID-19 cases surged from 257 to 3,395, a sharp uptick in infections over the past 10 days.

No signs of panic, say officials

Despite the rise, officials maintained that hospitalisation remains low, and there is no strain on the health infrastructure. Most patients are reportedly recovering without the need for critical care.

The Health Ministry continues to emphasise surveillance, genome sequencing, and responsible public behaviour to keep the situation under control.

Citizens have been advised to avoid misinformation, report symptoms early, and support testing and contact tracing initiatives.