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The number of active COVID-19 cases in India has surged past 5,000, reaching 5,364 as of now. In the last 24 hours alone, 498 new cases have been reported across the country. Four deaths were recorded in the same period, bringing the total fatalities since January 1 to 55. The health department has highlighted a rapid increase in cases, noting that in the past 20 days, the number of infections has increased 58-fold. On May 16, the total active cases were only 93; now they have climbed to 5,364.

Highest Cases Statewise

COVID-19 has spread across 29 states and union territories. Kerala currently reports the highest number of active cases with 1,679, followed by Gujarat (615), West Bengal (596), Delhi (592), and Maharashtra (548).

Since January, new variants of the virus have caused 55 deaths, with 53 of these occurring in the last 15 days. On Thursday, Delhi recorded two more COVID-related deaths, including that of a five-month-old infant. Kerala reported two deaths, Karnataka and Punjab reported one each. Maharashtra has seen the highest death toll with 17 fatalities.

Following the summer holidays, schools in Odisha have reopened under COVID guidelines. Education Minister Nityanand Gond stated that children showing mild symptoms such as cold, cough, or fever are required to wear masks in school. Those with severe symptoms are advised to stay home and isolate.

The central government conducted mock drills in select hospitals across various states on Thursday. These drills tested oxygen supply, availability of essential medicines, and ventilator facilities. The results will be used to rate hospitals’ preparedness for a possible fourth COVID wave. An initial drill had been conducted on June 2 focusing on healthcare infrastructure, including liquid medical oxygen tanks, pressure swing adsorption plants, and medical gas pipeline systems.

Four New COVID Variants Detected in India

Amid the rising cases, four new COVID variants have been identified in several states. Dr. Rajeev Bahl, Director of ICMR, revealed that sequencing of samples from South and West India has found variants belonging to LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1 lineages.

Samples from other regions are also being sequenced to monitor these variants. While the situation is not considered serious, people are advised to remain cautious. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not classified these variants as concerning but has placed them under surveillance.

Details of Recent Deaths:

• Karnataka (1 death): 65-year-old male with hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes, tested positive incidentally for COVID-19.
  
  
• Kerala (2 deaths):
  
  
1. 74-year-old female with severe aortic stenosis, calcific aortic valve, COPD, hypertension, diabetes.
   
   
2. 79-year-old male with hypertension, old cerebrovascular accident, liver disease, urinary tract infection caused by Pseudomonas.
   
   
• Punjab (1 death): 69-year-old female with pulmonary thromboembolism and morbid obesity.

Kerala saw an increase of 192 new cases in the last 24 hours, while Gujarat reported a rise of 107 cases during the same period.