Despite a fresh Covid-19 wave hitting parts of Asia—particularly Singapore and Hong Kong—India’s health authorities have reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern. As of May 19, 2025, the country has reported only 257 active cases nationwide. Following a comprehensive review chaired by the Director General of Health Services, officials concluded that the Covid-19 situation in India remains under control.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and central government hospitals. According to sources cited by PTI, nearly all reported cases are mild, with no need for hospitalisation.
This review followed rising concerns about Covid-19 surges in Singapore and Hong Kong, where newer Omicron subvariants such as JN.1 and its descendants have led to a spike in infections and hospital admissions.
India’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, urged caution without triggering panic. He emphasised that Covid-19 has become endemic and should be managed with ongoing vigilance, particularly among the elderly and immunocompromised. “The key is to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour—hand hygiene, mask usage, and avoiding crowded areas,” he said in a statement to News18.
Dr. Gangakhedkar also highlighted India’s preparedness with an Omicron-specific vaccine, GEMCOVAC-19, developed by Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. He noted that production could be ramped up quickly if a surge occurred, but clarified that, as of now, there is “nothing new or alarming.”
Among Indian states, Kerala has reported the highest number of new cases since May 12 (69), followed by Maharashtra (44) and Tamil Nadu (34). Other states, including Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim, have registered only a few cases. Hospitals nationwide have been instructed to intensify monitoring of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
The Union Health Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to remain vigilant and proactive. Ongoing surveillance efforts continue under the frameworks of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
In contrast, some Asian countries are experiencing a worrying trend. Singapore reported a 28% increase in weekly Covid-19 cases, rising from 11,100 in late April to 14,200 in early May, alongside a 30% surge in hospitalisations. Hong Kong recorded 31 Covid-related deaths in the week ending May 3—the city’s highest toll in a year—along with a rise in new infections from 972 to 1,042 in the following week.
