India’s active Covid-19 caseload declined slightly on Wednesday, falling to 6,483 from 6,836 the previous day, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Four deaths were reported in the past 24 hours—two in Maharashtra, and one each in Kerala and Delhi. Health officials confirmed that all four victims were elderly individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions and chronic ailments.
The country continues to witness sporadic spikes in infections, driven largely by emerging subvariants such as LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and the newly identified NB.1.8.1. Despite initial concern over a potential fresh wave, public health experts believe the current rise may constitute only a minor seasonal fluctuation rather than a full-blown resurgence.
Delhi reported the highest number of new infections at 65, bringing its active tally to 620. Kerala, however, maintained the highest number of active cases at 1,384, followed by Gujarat at 1,105. Karnataka and Maharashtra stood at 653 and 489 active cases, respectively. Notably, Kerala recorded the steepest single-day decline, with 275 fewer cases, while Gujarat and Karnataka also posted significant dips of 143 and 43 respectively.
Recent trends have led medical experts to describe the phenomenon as a “mini-wave” or short-term seasonal spike. “Such periodic surges will become more common as the virus increasingly behaves like a seasonal flu,” a senior epidemiologist at the National Centre for Disease Control said.
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Despite the uptick in numbers, hospitals in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune report only a handful of cases requiring inpatient care. Most patients are experiencing mild symptoms—fever, sore throat, fatigue and cough—and are managing recovery at home. The situation stands in stark contrast to earlier phases of the pandemic such as the Delta and Omicron waves, where healthcare systems were severely strained.
Unlike previous periods marked by overwhelming hospital admissions and full ICUs, this phase appears less threatening due to what health experts attribute to population-level immunity and robust vaccine coverage. “Hospital admissions are limited, and ICU occupancy remains negligible,” a consultant at AIIMS Delhi remarked.
The elderly and individuals with co-morbidities, however, continue to face heightened risk. Medical professionals are urging the public not to let their guard down entirely. “Basic precautions such as masking in crowded areas and maintaining hand hygiene should still be followed,” said a senior physician at Mumbai’s Kasturba Hospital.
As the monsoon season sets in, public health officials are also drawing attention to similarities between Covid symptoms and those of influenza, warning against complacency but ruling out the likelihood of a severe national-level crisis. There is, at present, no call for fresh vaccine stockpiling or lockdown measures.
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