India has recorded a significant rise in Covid-19 cases, with the total number of active infections reaching 2,710 as of May 30, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This marks a five-fold increase in just four days, up from 1,010 active cases on May 26. The upward trend has been led by Kerala, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi.
Kerala currently accounts for the highest number of active cases at 1,147, while Maharashtra has reported 424 and Delhi 294. Gujarat has 223 active infections, and both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have reported 148 each. West Bengal stands at 116 cases.&nbsp;
Other states include Rajasthan with 51, Uttar Pradesh with 42, and Puducherry with 35. Haryana has logged 20 cases, Andhra Pradesh 16, and Madhya Pradesh 10. Additionally, smaller numbers have been reported from Goa (7), Odisha (5), Punjab (4), Jammu and Kashmir (4), Telangana (3), Arunachal Pradesh (3), and Chandigarh (1).&nbsp;
Mizoram, Assam, and Uttarakhand each have two cases. No active cases have been registered in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Data from Bihar remains unavailable.
A total of 1,170 patients have recovered and been discharged. However, seven deaths linked to Covid-19 were confirmed in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative death toll for 2025 so far to 22. Most of the deceased had existing health conditions, according to official reports.
Delhi reported the death of a 60-year-old woman who was suffering from acute intestinal obstruction following a laparotomy procedure. Covid-19 was an incidental finding in this case. In Gujarat, one death has been recorded, though further information is still awaited.
In Karnataka, a 70-year-old man died of acute cardiorespiratory arrest and acute encephalopathy with late-onset focal seizure. He also had severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia, with underlying conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease. Covid-19 confirmation for this case is pending RT-PCR testing.
Maharashtra accounted for two deaths. One involved a 67-year-old man who tested positive for Covid-19 and was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia in the left lung. He had comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and a history of cerebrovascular accident.&nbsp;
The second case was a 21-year-old man suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis and a lower respiratory tract infection. One death in the state has been reconciled in the updated figures.
Punjab recorded the death of a 39-year-old man with Hepatitis B and acute respiratory syndrome. Tamil Nadu reported the death of a 60-year-old man with a medical history that included Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
Authorities have said that the evolving situation is under close watch. Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, said on Friday that the Central government is fully prepared to respond to any developments.
&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; Jadhav told a section of the media.&nbsp;
He further stated, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reviewed the infrastructure built during the 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;
Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said that the current infections are largely mild in nature and not a cause for alarm. Genome sequencing has identified several Omicron sub-variants as the source of the latest surge, including LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, with LF.7, XFG, and JN.1 being more commonly detected.
Dr Behl added that the ICMR&rsquo;s respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network is actively tracking new infections and emerging pathogens. At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not categorised the LF.7 or NB.1.8 variants as either Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants of Interest (VOI).
Experts note that while some of the new variants may partially evade existing immunity, they have not shown signs of causing severe or long-lasting illness. Reported symptoms have been mild, resembling common influenza, including fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and exhaustion.
In response to the rising case numbers, several state governments have issued advisories to ensure hospitals are equipped with sufficient oxygen supplies, ICU beds, testing kits, and vaccines. Elderly individuals and people with pre-existing medical conditions have been advised to wear masks in crowded areas as a preventive measure.
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Covid-19 cases surge sharply across India with Kerala leading; Centre reviews preparedness, seven deaths reported.

India Reports Covid Spike: 2,710 Active, 7 Dead

Covid-19 cases surge sharply across India with Kerala leading; Centre reviews preparedness, seven deaths reported.

May 31, 2025 | 15:37 IST