Two COVID-19-related deaths were reported on Monday in Ahmedabad, marking the city&rsquo;s first virus fatalities this year. Both victims, women aged 18 and 47, died at LG Hospital in Maninagar&nbsp; area, as confirmed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
The 18-year-old, who was pregnant and a resident of Vinzol area, had been hospitalised two days earlier due to respiratory issues. She tested positive for COVID-19 and passed away early in the morning. The second case involved a 47-year-old woman from Shah Alam in Danilimda area, who had been admitted to the same hospital on May 23. She suffered from pre-existing health conditions, including hypertension and high blood pressure.
Dr Bhavin Solanki, AMC health officer, stated, &ldquo;She had hypertension as a comorbidity. Further details are being gathered.&rdquo;
AMC officials also reported that over 100 active COVID-19 cases are currently being managed in the city, with most patients in isolation. Among those receiving hospital care are an eight-month-old girl and a 44-year-old man.
In Rajkot, seven new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Monday, involving four women and three men. Two patients recovered, raising the city&rsquo;s total confirmed cases to 44. Six individuals have completed home isolation, including the two newly recovered patients. One patient remains under treatment in a private hospital in stable condition, while 37 others are isolating at home with stable health, according to local health authorities.
The previous day, five additional cases were identified in the city: a 45-year-old woman from Master Society, a 69-year-old woman near Rayaya Road, a 52-year-old man from Uma Park, a 56-year-old man near Atithi Chowk, and a 25-year-old man from Sopan Heights. All five patients are in home isolation under close observation.
Elsewhere in Rajkot district, a 53-year-old man from Nawagam Anandpar tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in home isolation. This follows an earlier district case reported from Gauridal. Health officials are continuing to monitor all infected individuals closely.
Statewide, Gujarat recorded 55 new infections within the 24 hours on Sunday, bringing the number of active cases to 320. During the same period, 22 patients were discharged. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Gujarat reported the third-highest daily case count in the country, behind West Bengal (82) and Kerala (64).
A spike nationally
Nationally, India&rsquo;s active case count rose to 3,961 on Monday morning, with 203 new cases and four additional deaths reported since Sunday. These fatalities occurred in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Kerala, pushing the year&rsquo;s total COVID-19 death toll to 32.
Delhi registered 47 fresh cases, raising its active caseload to 483. Kerala reported 35 new infections, bringing its active case total to 1,435. Maharashtra added 21 new cases, reaching 506 active infections. West Bengal&rsquo;s active tally climbed to 339 with 44 new cases, while Gujarat&rsquo;s active caseload reached 338.
Among the newly reported deaths, Delhi recorded the passing of a 22-year-old woman with a pre-existing lung condition. Tamil Nadu reported the death of a 25-year-old man with bronchial complications. In Maharashtra, a 44-year-old man succumbed to the virus, while the identity and details of the deceased in Kerala are pending confirmation.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), noted that recent genome sequencing of samples from western and southern regions revealed the circulation of four Omicron subvariants&mdash;LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1. The first three were observed more frequently, and none have been linked to severe disease outcomes.
Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, addressed the preparedness of the Central government, stating on Friday, &ldquo;Both our Central Health Department and the AYUSH Ministry are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation across all states. We have spoken with the respective Health and AYUSH Secretaries, as well as other concerned ministers.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He added, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reviewed the infrastructure developed during earlier Covid waves, such as oxygen plants and ICU beds, and have already begun preparations. Our health systems are well-equipped and ready to handle any situation that may arise in response to Covid.&rdquo;
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Health Department has issued a directive to both government and private schools, urging precautionary measures to safeguard student health. The circular advises that any child displaying symptoms such as cough, cold, or fever should remain at home and receive appropriate medical care.
A city-based health expert remarked on the current situation, stating, &ldquo;Covid is endemic, and chances are high that those with prolonged flu-like symptoms may have contracted it, but not all patients need to carry out tests. In the current wave, the mortality and morbidity are very low. Those with existing health conditions, and children and senior citizens should not take it lightly.&rdquo;
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(With inputs from agencies)
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India sees rising COVID-19 cases as Ahmedabad records first fatalities of the year and Rajkot reports new cases.

COVID-19 Claims Two Lives in Ahmedabad Amid Surge

India sees rising COVID-19 cases as Ahmedabad records first fatalities of the year and Rajkot reports new cases.

June 2, 2025 | 12:55 IST