India is witnessing a notable resurgence in COVID-19 cases, with the total number of active infections climbing to 3,395 across the country as of Saturday, June 1, 2025. This increase marks what some are referring to as the 2025 COVID-19 wave, underscoring that the pandemic is not yet over. The Union health ministry's dashboard indicates a significant rise in daily cases, prompting experts to urge renewed vigilance and adherence to safety protocols.

Kerala currently leads the nation with 1,336 active COVID-19 positive cases. Maharashtra follows with 467 active cases, and New Delhi reports 375 active infections. Other states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, and West Bengal, have also recorded over 200 cases, although their situations are considered less severe compared to the top three affected regions.

In New Delhi, the situation has seen recent severity with two more COVID-19 related deaths reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the capital's death toll for this year to three. The city also documented 81 fresh infections since Friday. The deceased were identified as a 60-year-old woman who had undergone abdominal surgery and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19, and a 71-year-old man suffering from pneumonia, septic shock, and acute kidney injury. Nationally, India logged five deaths due to the COVID-19 infection on Saturday.

The predominant strain fueling this surge is the JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of the Omicron BA.2.86 strain, which accounts for approximately 95% of recent cases in India. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant in internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, explained that NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are further sub-lineages of JN.1. These are not entirely new variants but rather evolved forms of earlier Omicron strains, possessing additional mutations.

Dr. Romel Tickoo, director of Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, noted a significant change from May 2024, when India experienced minimal Covid-19 activity. By May 2025, case numbers saw a notable rise. Despite its increased transmissibility, Dr. Tickoo stated that JN.1 does not appear to cause severe illness in most individuals, and the symptoms observed are largely similar to those seen in the previous year. Compared to the Delta variant, which was known for causing severe lower respiratory tract infections, the current Omicron sub-variants primarily lead to milder, upper respiratory symptoms. They are more transmissible but generally less severe, particularly among vaccinated individuals.

Health experts emphasize that precautions for the current wave of Covid-19 remain consistent with previous phases. Dr. Neetu Jain, senior consultant in pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine at PSRI Hospital, advised the public to wear masks, especially in crowded spaces and indoor venues. She also recommended maintaining distance from people exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as cough, cold, or nasal congestion. Individuals experiencing such symptoms should self-isolate and monitor their health.

Regarding treatment, the focus should be on supportive measures. Dr. Jain highlighted the importance of staying hydrated and using paracetamol for fever management. She strongly cautioned against self-administering antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Experts across the board are urging the public to follow all pandemic safety rules to help contain the virus from spreading further.