COVID-19 Cases Rise in India; New Variants Under Watch

India has witnessed a noticeable surge in COVID-19 cases, rising from 327 on May 19 to 1,009 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health. The states reporting the sharpest increases include Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Gujarat. The fresh spike is attributed to two new subvariants of the JN.1 lineage—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—which are under monitoring by the World Health Organization.

NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu, while LF.7 emerged in Gujarat. Though more transmissible and capable of partially evading immunity, these variants are not categorized as “variants of concern.” Health authorities confirm that the symptoms remain mostly mild, especially in those previously infected or vaccinated.

Doctors note that most current cases resemble mild respiratory infections. Dr. Santosh Kumar Aggarwal of Max Hospital reported not needing to test patients for COVID as symptoms are manageable. Dr. Sushila Kataria of Medanta emphasized the importance of testing, even for mild symptoms.

Common symptoms associated with these variants include fever with chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, headaches, runny nose, and a mild loss of taste. While hospitalizations remain low, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are still at risk.

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the spread, and experts stress that precautions remain important, especially with new subvariants circulating. The rise in cases highlights the virus’s ability to adapt and persist, making continued surveillance and awareness essential.