New Delhi: India is currently managing 4,302 active Covid-19 cases, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.
In the past 24 hours, the country recorded nearly 300 new infections, with Kerala reporting the highest number of cases. Two additional fatalities linked to the virus were reported, pushing the nationwide death toll for 2025 to seven.
Health officials have attributed the uptick in cases this year to the emergence of four variants — LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and the recently identified NB.1.8.1. The new subvariant NB.1.8.1, detected in India, has been flagged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "Variant Under Monitoring," indicating it possesses notable genetic changes, though its broader health impact remains uncertain. A sample of this variant was recently submitted to INSACOG, India’s genome sequencing network, from the state of Tamil Nadu.
Despite the rise in infections across several nations, the overall fatality rate remains low, and the majority of current cases in India are presenting with mild symptoms.
Experts point out that waning immunity from previous infections and vaccinations is a key factor behind the recent resurgence, as reduced protection over time increases vulnerability to reinfection. Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and some of its emerging variants show a higher capacity for transmission or immune escape — a pattern that could potentially lead to periodic surges in cases.
