COVID-19: Active cases in India cross 4,000 mark

India’s active COVID-19 cases have surpassed the 4,000 mark, with Kerala reporting the highest number, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

As of now, there are 4,026 active cases in the country. In the past 24 hours, five COVID-related deaths have been reported—two in Maharashtra and one each in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Since January, the total number of deaths has reached 37.

The rise has been sharp over the past two weeks: from just 257 active cases on May 22 to 3,395 by May 31, and further increasing to the current figure.

Kerala leads with 1,446 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (494), Gujarat (397), and Delhi (393).

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Despite the uptick, officials maintain that the situation is under control. On May 31, government sources said that most patients have mild symptoms and are recovering at home, adding there is no immediate cause for concern.

ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Behl confirmed on Monday that the recent surge is linked to subvariants of Omicron, which are not considered severe. Genome sequencing from western and southern regions has identified four subvariants—LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1—with the first three being more prevalent.

“We are monitoring the situation closely. People should stay vigilant, but there is no cause for alarm,” Dr Behl said.

(With inputs from PTI)