Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi record 74% new cases – Firstpost

The Health Ministry of India has said that most cases of Covid-19 are being detected in three states: Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi, adding that the new subvariant of the virus, NB.1.8.1, has been detected in at least one sample.

While coronavirus is making a comeback in India and other Southeast Asian countries, experts have reassured that there is no need to worry. The first rise in cases was detected in Singapore on May 13.

As of yesterday (May 27), India reported a total of 1,010 active cases of Covid-19, according to data published by the Health Ministry on its website. The largest number of cases was detected in Kerala(43 per cent), followed by Maharashtra (21 per cent), Delhi (10 per cent), Gujarat(8 per cent), and Tamil Nadu(7 per cent).

Since May 19, three deaths have been reported in Maharashtra, two in Kerala, and one in Karnataka. However, the Ministry has stated that more details are awaited before these deaths can be confirmed as related to Covid-19.

What’s triggering new cases?

The subvariant JN.1 is making up 16.3 per cent of sequenced cases in the epidemiological week ending February 2. Authorities in Singapore have reported that two JN.1 descendant lineages — LF.7 and NB.1.8 — now account for over two-thirds of locally sequenced cases. However, they clarified that “there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants.”

While the rampant spread of the virus has been kept in check for a long time, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, has not disappeared entirely. Earlier this month, when a rise in cases was being reported in Singapore, authorities said that periodic waves of Covid-19 can be expected throughout the year.

Is there a reason to be worried?

Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has said, “As of now, the severity is generally low. There’s nothing to worry about. We should be vigilant and we should always be prepared.”

“People do not need to take any immediate action. They should follow normal precautions. There is nothing special to do right now,” he added.