India's total number of Covid-19 cases has reached 7,154 as of 8 AM on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.In the past 24 hours, 33 new infections have been confirmed, though case data from West Bengal is still awaited.
Additionally, three new deaths linked to Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours: one from Madhya Pradesh and two from Maharashtra. These bring the total number of Covid-related deaths in 2025 to 77.
On a positive note, more than 9,000 individuals have recovered from the virus so far this year.
While several states have reported modest increases in active cases, Kerala remains the worst-affected, with 2,165 active infections as of Thursday. Other states with relatively high caseloads include Gujarat (1281), West Bengal(747), Delhi (731), and Maharashtra(615), based on data from the national Covid-19 dashboard.
Health authorities have attributed the current rise in infections to new Omicron sub-variants — including JN.1, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, and XFC. These strains are noted for their high transmissibility but are causing milder illness compared to earlier variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified them as "Variants Under Monitoring", indicating that while they are not currently a serious threat, their progress should be observed closely.
Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has now transitioned into a seasonal pattern similar to the flu. Though no longer considered an emergency, the virus continues to circulate and may pose risks, especially to vulnerable populations.(UNI)
