New Delhi, May 25 – India recorded two deaths linked to COVID-19 on Saturday, amid a gradual rise in active cases, especially in Karnataka and Haryana, according to health authorities. A 21-year-old woman suffering from multiple comorbidities died at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Thane, Maharashtra, while another elderly person died in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) confirmed the death and reported an uptick in COVID cases across the city. Meanwhile, 18 active patients are being treated for COVID-19 in Bengaluru’s civic hospitals.
Active COVID Cases Rise in Karnataka; Haryana Reports Four Cases
Karnataka has seen a rise in active COVID-19 cases, with new infections reported in Bengaluru city. Health officials say most of the recent infections are mild or asymptomatic. Haryana has reported four active cases, according to its health bulletin.
In Uttarakhand, Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said the state is prepared with adequate isolation wards and is monitoring developments closely. Hospitals in Dehradun have resumed readiness drills, including preparation of dedicated COVID wards.
Doctors Say JN.1 Variant Not a Major Threat
Medical experts emphasize that the current cases are linked to newer, less severe variants, particularly JN.1, and there is no cause for panic. They highlight that while Omicron sub-variants remain in circulation, hospitalizations and severe symptoms remain low.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is continuing genomic surveillance to monitor any significant mutation. The Union Health Ministry has urged states to maintain basic preventive measures, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
