Kerala leads India’s Covid-19 surge with 430 active cases

Kerala has reported the highest number of active Covid-19 cases in the country, with 430 people currently infected, the central government data showed on Monday.

According to the data provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the southern state recorded 335 new cases since May 19.

Kerala also reported the highest number of recoveries, with 105 people discharged since May 19.

Two Covid-related deaths were recorded in the state during the same period.

There were no details from the state government regarding the Covid cases on Monday.

India currently has a total of 1,010 active Covid-19 cases, the data showed.

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On India recording new COVID-19 variants, ICMR DG Dr Rajiv Bahl said "The variants we have sequenced from South and West India are not much severe. 4 variants have been discovered - LF.7 series, XFG series, JN.1 series and NB.1.8.1 series in the same order. We are sequencing the samples from other areas to check for more new variants... The cases are not very severe and people should not worry, but only stay vigilant..."

Health experts say India could see a fresh wave of Covid-19 due to waning immunity among the public.

The JN.1 variant reported in parts of Asia is already present in India. It is a descendant of the BA.2.86, also known as ‘Pirola’ strain, belonging to the Omicron lineage. The JN.1 strain can evade immunity and is more transmissible than other Omicron variants.

With inputs from agencies