India’s Active COVID-19 Cases Cross 5,000 Mark; Kerala and Gujarat Witness Sharp Rise

Active COVID-19 Cases Update: India is once again witnessing a gradual rise in COVID-19 cases as the total number of active cases crossed the 5,000 mark on Friday, June 6, 2025. According to the latest data released by the Union Ministry of Health, the country recorded 498 new infections in the last 24 hours, indicating a steady uptick in transmission after weeks of low caseloads.

Four deaths were reported across the country within the same period. Kerala accounted for two of these fatalities, while Punjab and Karnataka reported one death each. All four individuals were over 60 years of age and had underlying health conditions. With these additions, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths since January has risen to 55.

Kerala continues to remain the state with the highest number of active COVID-19 cases at 1,679. It also reported the highest number of new cases on Thursday, registering 192 fresh infections. Gujarat follows with 615 active cases and 107 new cases. West Bengal and Delhi are also on the list with 596 and 592 active cases, respectively.

In Delhi, 30 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours. However, 124 patients were discharged during the same period. No new deaths were recorded in the national capital, keeping the cumulative fatality count since January at seven.

West Bengal confirmed 58 new cases, with 91 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours. The state has recorded only one COVID-related death this year so far. Meanwhile, Odisha reported seven new cases, bringing its current wave total to 30. State authorities confirmed that seven people have recovered, and schools will reopen after the summer vacation with all preventive measures in place.

In Madhya Pradesh, two junior doctors from Gwalior’s Gajra Raja Medical College tested positive for COVID-19. Both are postgraduate students and have been placed under home isolation.

Health experts have emphasized that the current spike is not alarming. They noted that COVID-19 has become endemic and is now behaving more like a seasonal respiratory illness. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, a noted global health expert, stated that COVID-19 is now milder than the flu and no longer a cause for concern.

Government officials are not taking any chances. A series of high-level review meetings were held on June 2 and 3, chaired by Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS). These meetings included representatives from the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and others, who discussed surveillance, hospital readiness, and response measures.

As India navigates this latest uptick, health authorities urge citizens to remain vigilant but not alarmed. Preventive measures, early testing, and vaccination remain the best tools to manage the situation effectively.