India’s active Covid-19 cases rose sharply to 3,961 on Monday, June 2, marking an increase of 566 cases since the previous day, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The states of Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi continued to report the highest numbers of infections.
Since January 1, the country has recorded 32 Covid-related deaths, with four deaths reported in the past 24 hours alone. The fatalities reported recently include one each from Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Among the deceased were a 22-year-old woman from Delhi with a history of post-tuberculosis lung disease, and a 44-year-old man in Maharashtra who suffered from acute respiratory distress and aortic valve complications. Kerala’s latest death has been confirmed, but detailed information is still awaited.
Delhi experienced the sharpest daily rise in active cases among major states, adding 47 new infections and one death. Tamil Nadu, which currently has 189 active cases, reported the death of a 25-year-old man suffering from bronchial asthma and acute tubular injury. Karnataka, with 253 active cases, also registered a new Covid-related death, while Uttar Pradesh, now reporting 157 active cases, added two more deaths to its toll.
In total, 16 states and Union Territories have recorded Covid-related fatalities so far this year. Despite this, most regions continue to report predominantly mild cases with relatively low rates of hospitalisation.
Kerala remains the worst-hit state with 1,435 active cases, up from 1,336 the previous day. Maharashtra and Delhi follow, with 506 and 483 active cases respectively. West Bengal has seen a notable rise, now reporting 331 active infections. Other states with significant caseloads include Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189), Uttar Pradesh (157), Gujarat (338), and Rajasthan (69). Smaller increases have been observed in Madhya Pradesh (23), Haryana (28), and Odisha (12).
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Over the last 24 hours, a total of 203 patients were discharged across various states, bringing the total number of recovered or migrated patients this year to 2,188.
Health experts emphasize that despite the rising case numbers, the overall Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. Most infections are mild and are being managed through home isolation. Officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Ministry of Health have reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm, while urging continued vigilance.
Dr. Rajiv Behl, Director General of ICMR, stated, “We have been closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, overall, we should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry.”
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The recent surge in cases coincides with the spread of several Omicron sub-variants—LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1—which have been detected through genome sequencing primarily in western and southern India. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified these as “Variants Under Monitoring,” indicating they currently pose no significant global threat.
In response, state health departments, particularly in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala, are reviewing hospital preparedness and medical supply chains as a precautionary measure. Authorities are encouraging the public to wear masks in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, especially elderly individuals and those with underlying health conditions.
With the virus spreading mainly through these new, more contagious but less severe sub-variants, experts stress that vaccination, timely testing, and responsible behavior are key to keeping hospitalizations and fatalities low.
Although India’s current Covid-19 caseload remains a small fraction of previous waves, the rapid tenfold increase within less than two weeks has renewed focus on active case monitoring, enhanced genome sequencing, and public awareness efforts to prevent the onset of another major wave.
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