According to Dr. Ujjwal Prakhar, Covid is now behaving like a normal viral infection. Now its symptoms are limited to common viral infections like cough, cold and fever.

Cases of Covid-19 are once again increasing rapidly in India. According to the Union Health Ministry, by May 31, 2025, the active cases of Covid in the country have reached 2710. At the same time, many people have also lost their lives. Most of these include those who were already suffering from other serious diseases. However, on hearing the name of Covid, the frightening pictures of 2020 and 2021 start emerging in people's minds. In such a situation, let us know from the doctor how much to fear the new variant of Corona?

How many Covid-19 cases are there in the states?

According to the Health Ministry data, a total of 2710 active Covid cases have been reported in the country. Of these, Kerala has the highest number of cases at 1147, followed by Maharashtra at 424, Delhi at 294, Gujarat at 223, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at 148-148. Apart from this, cases have been found in West Bengal (116), Rajasthan (51), Uttar Pradesh (42), Puducherry (35), Haryana (20), Andhra Pradesh (16), Madhya Pradesh (10), Goa (7), Odisha (5), Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir (4-4), Chhattisgarh and Telangana (3-3), Arunachal Pradesh (3), Assam and Mizoram (2-2), Chandigarh and Uttarakhand (1-2). 

What does the doctor say?

Despite the increasing cases of Covid, experts believe that the situation is not yet alarming. According to Dr. Ujjwal Prakhar, Chest Medicine Specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, Covid is now behaving like a normal viral infection. Earlier the symptoms of Covid were severe such as loss of taste and smell, but now its symptoms have been limited to common viral infections like cough, cold and fever. Dr. Ujjwal said that due to weak immunity in the elderly and children, the risk of Covid or any other infection may be higher, especially in those who are already suffering from other diseases.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), also said that the currently spreading sub-variants of Omicron (LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1) are not serious. These variants are responsible for recent cases in India, but the risk of serious illness from them is low. Experts say that 2710 cases in a population of 140 crores is negligible, so there is no need to panic.

Precautions and preventive measures

During the last Covid wave, the government had enforced strict protocols. These included social distancing, wearing masks and lockdowns. However, the current situation does not require such strict measures. Dr Ujjwal suggested that people who are sick should isolate themselves and maintain distance from others. The usual precautions like regular hand washing, wearing masks in crowded places and maintaining hygiene are still important. Especially the elderly and people with weakened immunity should be extra cautious.