New Delhi: Several Indian states are witnessing a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases, prompting health authorities to initiate preparedness measures, though officials largely reassure the public that most infections remain mild and manageable.
Across affected regions, plans are being activated to ensure ample availability of hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and vaccines, should the situation necessitate a more robust response.
As of May 19, India recorded 257 active COVID-19 cases, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Critically, the ministry emphasises that the vast majority of these cases are mild, requiring no hospital admission and are largely manageable at home.
However, a noticeable increase has been witnessed in southern states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, alongside Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, tracking changes from May 12 to 19, shows specific increases. Kerala saw a rise of 69 cases, Maharashtra 44, Tamil Nadu 34, Karnataka 8, Gujarat 6, and Delhi 3.
Despite these increments, leading health experts reiterate there is no immediate cause for widespread alarm. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, stated on Friday that “the situation is under control. There are, at most, sporadic cases, which are also rare. Even the present cases are being managed very easily,” he told news agency ANI.
In response to the reported rise, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava conducted a review of the situation on Saturday. Several states, including Karnataka and Delhi, have also issued advisories, prudently urging citizens to remain calm and avoid panic.
While COVID-19 is now increasingly being treated akin to other viral illnesses, the Health Ministry continues to advise fundamental precautions, wearing masks in crowded spaces, maintaining good hand hygiene, and avoiding large gatherings.
Authorities highlighted the ongoing importance of robust surveillance, with COVID-19 trends meticulously tracked through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
