India has witnessed a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 infections, with active cases surpassing the 6,000-mark, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. The latest report confirms 6,133 active cases nationwide, with six deaths reported in the past 24 hours alone.
Kerala Leads, Followed by Gujarat, Bengal, and Delhi
Health officials reported 769 new infections in the last 48 hours, with Kerala continuing to register the highest number of cases. Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi follow as the next most affected regions. Officials clarified that the majority of current cases are mild and patients are being treated at home.
Steady Increase Since May
As reported by TOI, this recent surge marks a significant rise compared to earlier numbers. On May 22, the country reported only 257 active cases. Since January, India has recorded 65 COVID-related deaths, highlighting a slow but steady resurgence.
Surveillance Teams Step Up Monitoring
State and district surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) have intensified efforts to track infections. These teams are closely observing Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, as both can overlap with COVID-19 symptoms.
Targeted Testing and Genome Sequencing in Progress
As per the current health guidelines, officials have recommended testing for all hospitalised SARI cases and 5% of ILI cases. In addition, all SARI samples that test positive for COVID-19 are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network, as reported by PTI.
Health Ministry Reviews National Readiness
In response to the rising trend, the Director General of Health Services, Sunita Sharma, chaired technical review meetings on June 2 and 3. These sessions assessed the nation’s preparedness and containment strategies, ensuring healthcare systems remain equipped to handle a potential surge.
Conclusion
While most current infections are mild, the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases underscores the need for continued vigilance, robust surveillance, and timely testing. Health authorities remain on alert to manage any escalation effectively.