India reported 761 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, marking a mild resurgence in infections likely driven by colder weather and the emergence of new Omicron sub-variants.
The national active caseload currently stands at 4,334, reflecting a slight decline from the previous day’s 4,423. However, authorities remain vigilant about possible fresh waves as new mutations like BF.7 and JN.1 gain ground globally.
Of the 761 new cases, Kerala accounted for the highest tally with 1,249 active infections. Maharashtra followed with 914 ongoing cases, though no state is currently seeing an alarming surge.
Unfortunately, the virus continues to claim lives, albeit at a reduced rate. The health ministry recorded 12 new fatalities, including 5 in Kerala and 4 in Karnataka. The national death toll since the pandemic began is over 530,000 and counting.
In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar revealed the state government is closely tracking the situation by collating daily case reports. Though the JN.1 sub-variant is not very severe yet, he advised people to keep wearing masks as a precaution. The health department has also been instructed to ready containment measures if cases spiral.
Overall, India’s recovery rate remains a healthy 98.81% with over 4.4 crore recovered patients. Over 220 crore vaccine doses have been administered under a successful nationwide immunization program.
Authorities hope to avert another wave through public cooperation in following COVID-appropriate behavior. Citizens are advised to avoid crowded areas, maintain hygiene, and masks in public for their safety amidst the lingering pandemic threat. With proactive tracking and containment protocols in place, India is working to keep potential future surges under check.
