About 358 fresh cases of the virus were reported in the last 24 hours in the country. The total number of active Covid-19 cases in India touched 6,491, as of 8 am on Monday, as 358 fresh cases of the virus were reported in the last 24 hours in the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. No new Covid-19-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the Ministry stated.

Major states affected

Kerala continues to be the most affected state with active cases tally reaching 1,957 early Monday. It is followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi according to the MoHFW data, with the Capital reporting about 42 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 728. As many as 624 patients were cured/discharged/migrated from across the country till this morning, as per the official website.

What we know about the surge in cases

The current surge of Covid cases in India is driven by new Omicron sub-variants such as JN.1, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, and XFC. These are known to have shown increased transmissibility but mostly mild symptoms. The WHO currently classifies these as “Variants Under Monitoring” — not of concern yet, but requiring caution. Meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, has not disappeared, but it no longer behaves like an unpredictable emergency — rather, it has become part of a recurring cycle of illnesses, similar to the flu.

West Bengal Situation

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday held a review meeting with health and administrative officials on the current Covid-19 situation. After the meeting, she said, “There is no need for panic or to get scared about Covid.” West Bengal reported 54 new active Covid-19 cases on Monday since Sunday, taking the total number of active cases to 747, which is currently the third highest in the country after Kerala (1,957) and Gujarat (980), according to the state’s Covid dashboard.

Other states update

• Odisha reported four new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total active cases to 34, while 15 patients have recovered so far. Schools will reopen on June 20 with Covid-19 safety measures in place.
• Assam's active Covid case count declined to six in the current wave as two more persons recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours.
• Karnataka reported about 57 fresh Covid-19 cases over the last 24 hours, taking the tally of active cases to 423.
• Tamil Nadu reported 25 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking the active cases tally to 219 over the last 24 hours.
• Gujarat reported about 158 fresh Covid-19 cases over the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases in Gujarat to 980.
• Delhi reported 42 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active number of cases tally to 728.

Source: The Indian Express