Covid Cases Surge In India, Kerala and Maharashtra Worst Hit

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released its latest data stating that the active covid cases in India currently stand at 1,010. The data also highlights that Kerala and Maharashtra have become the hotspots amid the surge in cases all across the country. 

Kerala accounts for approximately 40 percent of the nation’s active cases clocking 430 infections. The southern state has also recorded two deaths due to the new strain. Maharashtra is the second-most hit state having 335 infections. Out of the 335 reported in Maharashtra, 154 are fresh. Delhi ranks third in the tally possessing 104 active cases. While other states like Gujarat and Haryana do not have a lot of cases, they have registered a spike in the numbers in the past two days. 

Despite the sudden spike in cases, the Union Health ministry has asked all citizens to remain calm. 

Karnataka, which has recently witnessed a spike, stands at 34 active cases. The Karnataka state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued an advisory to doctors highlighting Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala and Karnataka as hotspots. Amid the rising cases, Karnataka Minister for medical education Dr Sharan Prakash Patilhas asserted that the state government is equipped to handle any situation. 

Both new sub-variants of Omicron, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 have been detected through the JN.1 strain. Both of these strains have been classified under monitoring by the World Health Organisation (WHO).