NEW DELHI, May 28 – India has reported a steady rise in COVID-19 cases over recent weeks, with the detection of two new subvariants — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — contributing to concerns among health authorities, according to official data.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) confirmed one case of NB.1.8.1 in Tamil Nadu in April and four cases of LF.7 in May. Both subvariants have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs), a category that denotes lower immediate risk than Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (VOIs). However, these subvariants have reportedly driven recent case surges in China and parts of Asia.
Kerala has emerged as the worst-affected state with 273 active cases in May, while Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also witnessed noticeable upticks in infections.
In Karnataka, five new infections were reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of active cases to 38, of which 32 are in the capital, Bengaluru. The city also recorded one COVID-related death — an 84-year-old patient with co-morbidities — and a nine-month-old infant was admitted after testing positive.
Maharashtra reported 47 new cases on Saturday and 45 on Sunday, taking its active caseload to 209. The state confirmed its fourth COVID-related death this month — a 21-year-old with diabetic ketoacidosis who died in Thane.
In the national capital, Delhi recorded 23 new cases as of Thursday. Authorities have urged calm, stating that the current variants present symptoms similar to seasonal influenza. “The Delhi government is fully prepared. There is no need to panic,” said Health Minister Pankaj Singh.
Most cases across states remain mild, with patients recovering at home, according to central government sources cited by PTI.
In response to the uptick, Karnataka’s health department issued an advisory urging vulnerable groups — including pregnant women, children, and people with pre-existing conditions — to wear face masks in crowded places and use hand sanitiser.
The Union Health Secretary conducted a high-level review of the situation on Saturday with officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Officials affirmed that India continues to maintain robust surveillance systems through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR’s respiratory virus sentinel network.
The government continues to monitor the evolving situation, with no indication so far of a return to nationwide restrictions.
