Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, New Delhi, May 26, 2025 : India is witnessing a concerning increase in Covid-19 cases, with official data from the Union Health Ministry revealing that the number of active infections has risen to 1,009 as of Monday. Just a week earlier, on May 19, the active case count stood at 257. States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are currently reporting the highest numbers.
The Health Ministry has confirmed the recent identification of two new Covid-19 subvariants in India — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. A case of NB.1.8.1 was recorded in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were detected in May. Both subvariants have been classified by the World Health Organization as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM), indicating that they are being observed but have not yet been categorized as either Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest.
Health experts suggest that these subvariants may be contributing to the current spike in Covid-19 cases across parts of Asia, particularly in countries like China, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where similar trends have been noted. In India, while there is a marked rise in infections, most of the affected individuals have exhibited only mild symptoms and have recovered at home.
To ensure ongoing vigilance, surveillance efforts are being intensified through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance Network. The Health Ministry has reiterated that the situation is under constant review at both the national and global levels.
According to the Ministry, although some countries including Singapore and Hong Kong have reported rising infections, their respective health authorities have indicated that the new subvariants are not more transmissible or severe than earlier strains.
While the overall nature of the infections remains mild, public health experts are urging citizens to remain cautious. They emphasize the continued importance of preventive practices such as frequent handwashing, wearing face masks, and avoiding crowded places to limit further spread.