Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 3: India is witnessing a mild but concerning resurgence of Covid-19 cases, with active infections climbing to 4,026, according to the Union Health Ministry’s latest data. In the last 24 hours alone, 65 new cases were reported, while five Covid-related deaths have been officially confirmed across the country.

The current uptick is being driven in part by new and rapidly spreading variants, particularly NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, which have raised health alerts not just in India, but across several Asian nations.

Top five states with active cases:

• Kerala: 1,416 cases

• Maharashtra: 494 cases

• Gujarat: 397 cases

• Delhi: 393 cases

• West Bengal: 372 cases

The NB.1.8.1 variant is a sub-lineage of the Omicron family, descending from JN.1, and has already caused a significant spike in hospitalisations in China, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though also detected in the US, current assessments suggest the variant causes mild to moderate illness.

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Body aches

• Loss of appetite

• Runny nose

• Fatigue

Dr. Sharad Joshi, Director & Head of Pulmonology at Max Healthcare, noted, "There's no need to panic, but exercising caution is essential. A couple of deaths have been reported, so can't take it lightly."

He advised the public to follow respiratory hygiene practices, wear masks in crowded places, and avoid self-medication without consulting healthcare professionals.

While there’s no major alarm, experts suggest staying updated on vaccine boosters, especially for high-risk groups including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

With the NB.1.8.1 variant establishing dominance in some Asian regions, Indian health authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Citizens are urged to follow guidelines and remain vigilant — not fearful, but informed.