COVID Surge in India: 257 New Cases Rise Amid Omicron Variant

India is witnessing a modest resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with 257 active infections reported as of May 19, 2025. This rise aligns with a broader trend across Asia, where countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand are experiencing spikes driven by Omicron sub-variants like JN.1 and its descendants LF.7 and NB.1.8, according to NDTV.

⚠️ BREAKING:

China ???????? Hit by New COVID Surge Driven by Omicron XDV and NB.1.8.1 Variants Hospitals Overwhelmed, Beijing Warns of Delayed Response pic.twitter.com/rV94kHq3T3 — SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) (@COVID19_disease) May 20, 2025

In India, the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have the highest active case numbers, with 69, 44, and 34 cases respectively. Cities including Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are reporting noticeable increases. Municipal bodies such as the Pune Municipal Corporation are taking precautionary steps; 50 beds have been reserved at Naidu Hospital even though there are no active cases locally, as noted by Times of India.

The current wave is attributed to the more transmissible but less severe JN.1 variant, a descendant of the BA.2.86 strain. While infection rates are rising, most cases are mild. The Indian Council of Medical Research and other health bodies discussed this in a high-level review, where it was concluded that the situation remains under control.

As reported by the The Daily Pioneer, despite the mild nature of this surge, health officials urge continued caution, emphasizing the need for mask usage in crowded spaces and staying up to date with vaccinations. The symptoms remain largely consistent—sore throat, low-grade fever, and fatigue.