NEW DELHI, June 2 – India has reported a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases, with the number of active infections nearing 4,000 and the death toll climbing to 28, health ministry data showed on Monday. Officials attributed the surge to the rapid spread of two new variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7.
According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, active COVID-19 cases rose from 3,758 to 3,961 as of June 2, marking a steady increase over recent days. Two additional deaths were confirmed in Kerala and Karnataka, bringing the nationwide fatality count to 28 since January.
Kerala remains the worst-affected state with 1,400 active cases, followed by Maharashtra with 485 cases and seven reported deaths. Delhi currently has 436 active cases, while Gujarat’s tally rose to 287 after logging 82 new infections on June 1. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh reported 199 and 149 cases respectively. Sikkim has reported only three cases so far.
Between June 1 and June 2, a total of 363 new infections were recorded, though officials said recoveries have kept pace with the rise. A significant uptick was observed in West Bengal, which saw an increase of 82 cases, pushing its total active count above 280. Other states such as Kerala, Gujarat, and Delhi also reported notable jumps.
Health authorities have attributed the increase in cases to the emergence of the NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 variants, both considered to be highly transmissible. Experts have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, particularly in crowded spaces. “People with underlying health conditions and those who remain unvaccinated are at higher risk,” a senior health official said.
Authorities advised monitoring for symptoms including fever, nasal congestion, nausea, digestive issues, and throat pain. Individuals experiencing symptoms for more than four days are encouraged to take an RT-PCR test. Officials reiterated that India’s healthcare system is well-equipped to handle the uptick and urged citizens to maintain hygiene protocols.
