India is currently witnessing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, prompting the Union Ministry of Health to issue advisories and step up preparedness measures across the country. The ministry has urged citizens to avoid crowded places, especially when unwell, and to maintain good hand hygiene to curb the spread of the virus.

To evaluate the evolving COVID-19 situation and bolster national preparedness, a series of high-level technical review meetings were conducted. These meetings, held on June 2 and 3, 2025, were chaired by Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS). Participants included representatives from the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), central government hospitals in Delhi, and representatives from all States and Union Territories.

As of June 4, 2025, India reported 4,302 active COVID-19 cases, with an increase of 864 cases in the preceding 24 hours. While most of these cases are reported to be mild and are being managed under home care, the authorities are maintaining vigilance. Since January 1, 2025, 44 deaths have been reported, primarily among individuals with pre-existing illnesses.

Surveillance efforts have been significantly intensified. State and District surveillance units, operating under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), are closely monitoring cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) to track the spread and severity of infections.

In line with updated guidelines, testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and for 5% of ILI cases. Furthermore, positive SARI samples are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL (Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory) network to identify and track variants of the virus.

The Union Health Ministry has issued clear instructions to all states and Union Territories to ensure the ready availability of essential medical resources. This includes adequate supplies of oxygen, sufficient isolation beds, functional ventilators, and necessary medicines to manage any potential increase in hospitalizations.

To assess and ensure the functionality of critical infrastructure, a mock drill focusing on oxygen supply systems, including PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) plants, LMO (Liquid Medical Oxygen) tanks, and MGPS (Medical Gas Pipeline Systems) lines, was conducted on June 2, 2025. Further facility-level preparedness mock drills were planned for June 4 and 5, 2025, to evaluate overall readiness.

The Health Ministry has also reiterated advice for the public. Individuals experiencing acute respiratory illness are advised to self-monitor their symptoms and seek prompt medical care if their condition worsens. Practicing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette, along with avoiding crowded places when feeling unwell, remains crucial in preventing transmission.

Authorities have also urged the public to rely on trusted sources for information, such as the official Health Ministry website and Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases, to avoid misinformation and unfounded rumors concerning the COVID-19 situation.

The Union Health Ministry affirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and ensuring public health safety through timely interventions and effective communication strategies. These measures aim to manage the current rise in cases and safeguard the population.