Active COVID-19 cases cross 4,000 in India, five deaths reported in 24 hours | Top updates

New Delhi: India’s active COVID-19 caseload crossed the 4,000 mark on Monday, reaching 4,026, amid a gradual uptick in cases across several states. Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are among the worst-affected states, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). Kerala leads the tally with 1,416 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (494), Gujarat (397), and Delhi (393). Other states with notable numbers include West Bengal (372), Karnataka (311), Tamil Nadu (215) and Uttar Pradesh (138).

Health authorities also reported five COVID-related deaths in the past 24 hours: An 80-year-old male in Kerala, suffering from severe pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Two women in Maharashtra — a 70-year-old with diabetes and a 73-year-old with both diabetes and hypertension. A 69-year-old woman in Tamil Nadu with type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. A 43-year-old woman in West Bengal with acute coronary syndrome, septic shock, and acute kidney injury.

Here are the top 10 updates:

• Delhi High Court asked the Centre to file a status report on sample collection, transport, and SOPs, warning that the next COVID-19 pandemic is “far from over.”

• Ayodhya’s Rajarshi Dashrath Medical College conducted a COVID-19 mock drill; all oxygen plants are functional, said Principal Dr. Satyajeet Verma.

• West Bengal reported 44 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state tally to 331. Officials noted a steady rise in active cases over the past week.

• Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the surge in infections and urged the Centre to ensure hospital preparedness and take timely action.

• Karnataka Health Minister said there’s no need to panic as recent COVID deaths were mostly linked to comorbidities, not the virus alone.

• Odisha confirmed three new cases, bringing the total to 15. Officials said the situation is under control with no reason for panic.

• A man in Punjab’s Ferozepur tested positive after returning from Muzaffarnagar, UP. He is a railway employee and is in home isolation.

• Maharashtra recorded 59 new cases on Monday, 20 of them in Mumbai. The total number of cases since January 1 stands at 873.

• Haryana reported 18 active cases, with Gurugram, Faridabad, and Karnal accounting for most of them.

• Andhra Pradesh reported 38 cases over the last three weeks. No new variant has been found; most patients are in home isolation.