The epidemic Kovid-19 shook the entire world in 2020-21. Death and economy figures were scary. The challenges of Dangentu lockdown, oxygen crisis and vaccination in India were frightening. The spirit trembles only after thinking about that round. Later Long Kovid also deprived many lives. Therefore, when new cases of Kovid started coming in 2025, the panic was bound to be. The pace of increasing cases is also no less fast, but the honor is so much that infectious variants are not being said to be so deadly. The World Health Organization also does not consider them extremely fatal. But worrying is definitely a shabby condition of health service in our country.
At present, according to data released on the website of the Health Department, by June 1, the number of active cases of Korona across the country has increased to 3,783. As of 22 May this number was only 257. Within 9 days, the clouds of Corona infection have deepened due to such an increase in active case. The highest number of 1400 cases have been registered in Kerala. After this, 485 active cases have come in Maharashtra and 436 active cases in Delhi so far.
However, the Corona virus started spreading its feet from the month of January this year. Since then, 28 deaths from Korona have been confirmed. The rapid spread of the infection, it can be gauged from the fact that 21 out of 28 people have died in the last 2 days. It was worrying that a 63 -year -old man died in Bangalore on Saturday, which was also a booster dose with both vaccines. Maharashtra and Kerala have lost their lives (7-7).
According to the official data of Maharashtra, more than 9 thousand covid tests have been conducted there. According to the information of the government, till Saturday (31 May) 68 new cases of Kovid had come up. A total of 749 cases have been received in Mumbai only since January 2025. Since January, 9,592 Tests have been done in the state.
4 new variants
4 new variants have been found in India. According to ICMR, the variants of the variants from South and West India have LF7, XFG, JN.1 and NB1.8.1 series variants. Sequencing is going on by taking samples from other places, so that the new variant can also be investigated. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also not considered them worrying. But Katgaris has been done as a variant placed under surveillance. This variant is visible in the increasing cases of Kovid in other countries of Asia including China.
Medical experts say that spike protein mutations such as A435S, V445H, and T478I of NB.1.8.1 spread faster than other variants and the resistance in the body against Kovid is also not affected.
It has been observed that Kovid’s JN.1 variant is common in India. Because after testing, this variant has been found in more than half of samples. After this, cases of BA.2 (26 percent) and Omikron Sabalines (20 percent) variants have been found.
JN.1 variant weakens immunity. It is a strain of BA 2.86 of Omikron. Its symptoms may live from a few days to weeks. Spreads faster than other variants, but is not serious. It remains the most common variant in many parts of the world. This was found for the first time in August 2023. In December 2023, WHO declared it a “variant of interest”. It has about 30 mutations, which weaken immunity.
First knock in Tamil Nadu
The new variant NB.1.8.1 was first found in Tamil Nadu in April 2025 and LF.7 in Gujarat on 7 May 2025. Both Omikron are sub-variants. The WHO has placed them in the category of Varient of Monitoring (VUMS) instead of Varient of Consign (VOCS). NB.1.8.1 has spike protein mutations (A435A, V445A, T478I), making it more contagious. LF.7 also have the same similarities. So far it has been observed that both variants have not become the cause of any serious condition.
The government has advised hospitals to be vigilant and keep complete preparations. The Ministry of Health has directed hospitals to determine adequate supply of ICU beds, oxygen supply, vaccine, PPE kit, and triple-layer masks. The Delhi government has ordered genome sequencing to all positive samples. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have increased the stock of vaccine and medicines. The government has appealed to be vigilant instead of being afraid of the public. Testing has been made mandatory for travelers coming from Kovid affected countries (Singapore, Hong Kong).
Limited genome sequencing is a challenge. It is not clear how popular NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are. Lack of testing and awareness in rural areas is also a matter of concern. In addition, the effect of the vaccine could be reduced against the new variants, as the existing vaccines were designed for the old variants (Wuhan, Delta).
The word herd immunity has again come into trend. India’s hybrid immunity (obtained from previous infection and vaccination) is providing strong security against the new variants. By 2023, India had distributed crore vaccine doses, with more than 70 percent of the population completely vaccinated. Millions of people were infected during the second wave of 2021-22, which created a natural immunity.
Experts believe that this immunity is preventing serious illness and death rate. However, light infections are visible due to the ability to eliminate the immune of the new variants. The current vaccine provides protection from a serious disease, but less effective in preventing mild infection.
A challenge is also that there is no definite limit of hybrid immunity, as the virus continuously mutes. Experts say that Kovid is now moving towards the endemic status, such as seasonal flu. Nevertheless, the low rate of booster dose (especially in rural areas) and shortage of immunity over time is a matter of concern.
The solution to this may be that maximum genome sequencing should be increased. To understand the spread of NB.1.8.1 and LF7, testing and sequenceing should be increased in all states. Research on updated vaccine for new variants should be intensified. Masks, sanitizations should be emphasized in rural and urban areas. There should be a infrastructure structure, in which oxygen and ICU facilities should be increased in rural hospitals.
But the health budget has not increased, with the policy of more and more privatization of health service, government hospitals are the same as before. Pray that people do not have to wander again for medicines and oxygen.
What is the real number of Kovid deaths
Epidemic Kovid-19 is again in the headlines, so what should be preparation. Of course, it is necessary that they do not hide the shortcomings, find their solution and move forward. In this case, the recently released figures of India’s General Registrar (RGI) are eye -opening. In 2020 and 2021, the government figure of Kovid -related deaths was around 4,80,000. But the World Health Organization was estimated at 47 lakhs, which the government continued to dismiss. But now RGI data shows that 21 lakh deaths were higher in 2021 than in 2020, ie 26 percent more.
It is very important to find out the correct number of total deaths, only then the seriousness can be gauged and the flaws of the system can be repaired. RGI data also shows that heavy discrepancies were observed in the northern and western states. In them, the number of deaths from Kovid was said to be very less. Remember, who would count the people who were counted by suffering to suffer due to lack of oxygen, and in the absence of oxygen. Kerala is an example in this case that the reported Kovid was the lowest difference between the Kovid deaths and the estimated additional deaths.
So, Kerala is also an example that the active role of panchayats and non-governmental organizations is used during the epidemic primary health system, high literacy rate, epidemic. This means that there is no option but to strengthen and correct government health services in the country.
