Health officials are closely observing a rise in Covid-19 cases across several states, following a resurgence in parts of Asia like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Though overall case numbers remain low compared to previous waves, cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad have reported small but noticeable increases. Maharashtra is seeing a cluster in Mumbai, which recorded 95 new cases in May alone—nearly matching the state’s total of 106 cases since January, according to the Maharashtra health department.

Currently, at least 16 patients are hospitalized, with most transferred from KEM Hospital to Seven Hills Hospital to reduce transmission risks. Authorities are testing all patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Pune remains on alert despite having no active Covid-19 cases in public hospitals. The city has reserved 50 beds at Naidu Hospital as a precaution. Dr. Nina Borade, Pune Municipal Corporation’s health chief, noted that only one patient was reported in May—an 87-year-old from Manjari who has since fully recovered. Testing in civic hospitals has paused as the city awaits updated central guidelines.

In Tamil Nadu, 12 new cases were reported in Puducherry. In Chennai, doctors are noticing a shift where fevers once attributed to influenza are increasingly linked to Covid-19. Some hospitals have postponed critical surgeries, including organ transplants and heart procedures, due to infection risks.

“In our viral cases, Covid-19 is becoming more prevalent,” said infectious diseases expert Dr. Subramaniam Swaminathan of Gleneagles Healthcity. “Two weeks ago, 60% of positive samples were influenza A or B; now, Covid-19 dominates.”

Public health director Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam urged calm but recommended caution in crowded areas, emphasizing that Covid-19 has never fully disappeared and continues to circulate at low levels with seasonal peaks.

Karnataka has 16 active Covid-19 cases, according to state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. In Gujarat, Ahmedabad reported seven new cases in a single day—an unusual rise in a city that averages one case per month. All patients are isolating at home, and samples have been sent for genomic testing.

Gujarat currently has 15 active cases, all linked to the milder Omicron JN.1 variant. Thirteen cases are in Ahmedabad city, with one each in Ahmedabad rural and Rajkot. No hospitalizations have been reported, and officials have urged the public not to panic.

Although the World Health Organization declared the pandemic over in May 2023, Covid-19 continues to circulate worldwide. In India, most recent cases are mild, with no deaths or ICU admissions connected to the current rise.

Health experts advise the public—especially the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions—to resume basic precautions such as mask-wearing in enclosed spaces and regular handwashing. Doctors also recommend getting influenza vaccinations to reduce the risk and severity of co-infections.