Overview
- Ministry data show 4,026 active infections and five new deaths in the past 24 hours, raising total fatalities since January to 37
- Kerala remains the worst-affected state with 1,446 active cases, followed by Maharashtra (494), Gujarat (397) and Delhi (393)
- Two deaths occurred in Maharashtra and one each in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, all involving patients with pre-existing health conditions
- Officials report that most patients have mild symptoms managed at home, keeping hospital and ICU occupancy at manageable levels
- The WHO has designated variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1 as ‘Variants Under Monitoring’ and health authorities recommend mask-wearing and distancing for vulnerable groups