India is once again witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases, with over 3,000 new infections and 40 fatalities recorded in the past 10 days, prompting several states to reintroduce health precautions. The total number of active COVID-19 cases across the country has reached 6,815, with Kerala alone reporting 2,053 active cases, the highest among all states.
In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed 324 new cases and 5 deaths—two from Karnataka, and one each from Kerala, Delhi, and Jharkhand. Daily new case counts are now consistently crossing 350.
Kerala Takes Preventive Measures Amid New Variant Concerns
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has raised concerns over the potential impact of the new COVID variants on vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions. The state has directed all hospitals to test patients presenting symptoms like cold, cough, fever, or difficulty breathing for COVID-19. Mask-wearing is now mandatory in all hospital settings, and COVID protocol guidelines issued in June 2023 are being strictly enforced again.
COVID-19 Updates from Other States
West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with senior health officials, assuring that all government hospitals are equipped with necessary facilities and there is no need for panic.
Gujarat: State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said the state is fully prepared with adequate hospital infrastructure. He added that the new variant appears to be a sub-lineage of Omicron and not very severe.
Karnataka: The Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences has created a dedicated 25-bed COVID ward, including 5 ICU beds, 5 HDU beds, 5 for pregnant women, and 10 general beds.
Uttarakhand: The government has directed district authorities to ensure availability of oxygen, medicines, and monitor flu-like symptoms. Reporting of all COVID and influenza-like cases is now mandatory.
Himachal Pradesh: Following the detection of the state’s first COVID case this month in Sirmaur, mask-wearing in hospitals has been made compulsory since June 4.
4 New COVID-19 Variants Identified in India
As cases rise, health authorities are also tracking four newly detected variants—LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1—primarily sequenced from samples collected in South and West India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated that though these variants are not currently labeled “dangerous,” enhanced surveillance is in place. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed these under "variants under monitoring", meaning they are being watched for any signs of increased risk.
The NB.1.8.1 variant is particularly being monitored due to spike protein mutations such as A435S, V445H, and T478I, which could allow it to evade prior immunity and spread more easily. This variant, although not causing severe illness so far, is under close observation.
JN.1 Variant: Dominant and Fast-Spreading
Among all the variants, JN.1 has become the most dominant in India, accounting for over 50% of recent samples. It is a sub-strain of Omicron BA.2.86 and was first detected in August 2023. WHO had already declared it a "Variant of Interest" in December 2023.
According to Johns Hopkins University, JN.1 spreads faster than previous strains, though it usually results in mild symptoms. However, some patients may experience prolonged issues linked to Long COVID, including fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog.
India’s Vigilance Needed Again
While the government has not reintroduced lockdowns or widespread restrictions, the rise in cases and emergence of new variants has prompted a return to hospital-level COVID precautions in multiple states. Experts urge citizens to wear masks in public places, avoid crowded gatherings, and get tested if experiencing flu-like symptoms.