India has reported 752 new Covid-19 cases over the past week, pushing the country’s total active caseload to over 1,000. The surge in infections has been most pronounced in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday, May 26.
Kerala recorded the highest number of new cases at 335, bringing its active case count to 430. Maharashtra reported 153 new infections, with active cases now at 209, while Delhi saw 99 new cases, pushing its active tally to 104.
Other states reporting a rise in cases include Gujarat with 83, Karnataka with 47, Uttar Pradesh with 15, and West Bengal with 12.
Despite the increase, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta urged residents not to panic. “We are closely monitoring the situation. Our hospitals are fully equipped, and an advisory has been issued,” she told reporters, as reported by news agency PTI.
In the midst of the rise in cases, two new variants of the virus – NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 – have been detected, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a central government body.
Currently, the WHO has classified both NB.1.8 and LF.7 as Variants Under Monitoring – not as Variants of Concern or Interest.
The Union Health Secretary also reviewed the national Covid-19 situation over the weekend, noting that the majority of new cases are mild and being managed under home isolation. Most of these have been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
