Covid Cases Surge: Haryana, Karnataka Follow Delhi in Implementing Special Measures

Covid Cases Surge: As Covid-19 cases continue to rise, INSACOG reported on Saturday that India has identified one case of the newly emerging NB.1.8.1 variant and four cases of the LF.7 variant.

COVID-19 cases are witnessing a gradual uptick across major Indian cities, with Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru reporting new infections after months of relative calm. While authorities stress there's no cause for panic, hospitals have been put on alert and safety advisories have been reissued.

The advisory comes amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in several Asian countries, including China, Thailand, and Singapore. Citing these developments, Delhi’s health department emphasised proactive measures to ensure the city is ready for any potential spike in cases. As part of its response, the government has instructed all healthcare institutions to send every positive Covid-19 sample for genome sequencing to the Lok Nayak Hospital. This step is aimed at tracking any emerging variants of concern.

In Haryana, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao confirmed four new cases—two each in Gurugram and Faridabad. All patients are in home isolation and reported only mild symptoms.

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“There’s no need to panic,” Rao said. “We’ve ensured adequate arrangements to manage any potential spread.” Notably, none of the infected individuals had a recent travel history, and all had received COVID-19 vaccinations, which officials believe is helping reduce the severity of symptoms.

Health authorities in the states have issued advisories asking people to maintain hygiene and wear face masks to avoid the further spread of the deadly infection, which has claimed over 5 lakh lives in India during its peak in 2020 and 2021. As of May 19, data from the Ministry of Health shows that India has had 257 active COVID-19 cases with the JN.1 variant being the most common variant in circulation in India -- comprising 53 per cent of samples tested.

In Noida, a 55-year-old woman has been placed under quarantine after she tested positive for Covid-19, authorities said on Saturday. Officials said that samples of her family members have also been sent for testing. “The administration is geared up to deal with the situation. We urge people not to panic and follow the safety protocols, including wearing face masks and hand sanitisation,” chief medical officer of Gautam Budh Nagar district Narendra Kumar, was quoted as saying by PTI.

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A nine-month-old baby in Bengaluru has tested positive, among 35 active cases across the state, out of which 32 are from the capital. As per an official note, a slow surge in infections in the last 20 days has been recorded. Vulnerable groups like pregnant women, elderly and those who are suffering from chronic illness have been appealed to follow all the COVID-Appropriate behaviour (CAB).

Four new COVID-19 cases have been reported from Ghaziabad. The local health authorities have strengthened the surveillance guidelines. According to District Surveillance Officer Dr RK Gupta have stated that all four cases have come from the Trans-Hindon region. Out of the four patients, three are been under home isolation and one is getting treatment at a private hospital. The health department has started contact tracing and has stepped up the monitoring across the affected area to prevent further transmission.

Gujarat recorded 15 new coronavirus cases, while three cases of Covid-19 infection were reported from Haryana's Gurugram and Faridabad. On Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the state had reported 273 Covid-19 cases in May. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that the state had 16 active Covid-19 cases, while Delhi logged 23 new Covid-19 cases till Thursday.

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