The health officials, according to reports, have linked the rise to the emergence of new Omicron subvariants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. These variants are being monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as ‘Variants Under Monitoring’.
Maharashtra reports three more deaths, cases in Mumbai climb
As of May 29, three more deaths have been reported in Maharashtra, bringing the total toll for 2025 to six. According to a Financial Express report, the fatalities were recorded among individuals with pre-existing serious health conditions.
The report added that Mumbai has seen a rise in cases, with the city reporting 36 new cases on May 28 alone. In the month of May, Mumbai has reported 346 infections, averaging 11 cases per day. The overall case count in Maharashtra, since January, stands at 521, with 343 reported in May.
The number of cases in the state is currently 210, with urban areas like Thane and Pune also contributing to the state’s caseload. Health officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have urged citizens to remain cautious but avoid panic.
Karnataka sees a rise in cases
Karnataka, reportedly, recorded 40 new infections on May 28, taking the active case tally to 126. The state’s positivity rate (TPR) rose to 10.12 per cent with only 395 tests conducted on May 28.
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Karnataka reported 40 new infections on May 28, pushing the active case tally to 126. With only 395 tests conducted that day, the state’s test positivity rate (TPR) rose to 10.12%, up from 9.44% the previous day.
The state currently has two patients hospitalised, with most new cases showing mild symptoms like sore throat and fatigue.
First COVID death in Chandigarh
Chandigarh recorded its first COVID death of the year after a 40-year-old Firozabad native died. He was transferred from Ludhiana and was placed in isolation after testing positive. Officials are yet to confirm if the JN.1 variant played a role in his death, India.com reported.
Odisha and West Bengal also report new cases
In Odisha, four cases have been recorded in 2025, with three new infections reported in Khurda and Bhubaneshwar in the last two days. West Bengal has seen five new cases in the last 24 hours, including a foreign diplomat testing positive. The state’s recent case toll rose to 27.
Experts urge vigilance
While the increase in cases is worrisome, health experts remind us that the virus is still around, but mostly causes mild illness, and hospitalisation rates remain low. Authorities are vigilant, tracking new subvariants and mutations with genome sequencing.
Also Read: A new variant of COVID-19 may be driving up cases in some parts of the world, WHO says
