Covid-19: Current Wave Unlikely to Strain Hospitals, Say Experts

New Delhi: With nearly 4,000 active Covid-19 cases reported across India, health experts on Monday reassured the public that the current wave of infections is unlikely to put significant pressure on hospitals and there is no need for panic.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, there are currently 3,961 active Covid cases in the country. Since January 1, 2025, 32 Covid-related deaths have been reported across several states. In the last 24 hours alone, 2,188 patients were discharged or reported as migrated, reflecting continued recovery.

“It is very unlikely that this wave will lead to a surge in hospitalizations. There's no reason to panic, but we must enhance our sentinel surveillance systems to detect any outbreak in its early stages,” said Dr. Harshal R. Salve, Additional Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi.

The highest number of active cases has been reported from Kerala (1,435), followed by Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331).

This latest wave has been attributed to two new sub-variants of the Omicron lineage — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — which have been detected in India, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), under the Ministry of Health.

“While Covid cases are testing positive again, there's absolutely no need for alarm. This is due to the re-emergence of a JN.1 sub-variant,” said Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Chief Superintendent of Motilal Nehru Joint Hospital in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Salve added that severe illness from these variants is unlikely, as most people have already developed natural immunity from past infections.

“Symptoms are similar to previous Covid infections. Since a majority of the population has already been exposed to the virus, natural immunity is offering protection against severe illness,” he explained.

However, he cautioned that the new sub-variants are highly transmissible. “People with comorbidities and the elderly should wear N95 masks as a precaution. General preventive practices like cough hygiene and regular handwashing remain essential,” he advised.

With inputs from IANS