Health officials reassured people Monday that there is no reason to fear despite the country’s almost 4,000 active cases of COVID-19, as the current infection wave is not expected to put an increased strain on hospitals.

There are 3,961 active Covid cases, according to the Ministry of Health’s most recent update. Since January 1, 2025, the number of fatalities has increased to 32 in several states. In the meantime, 2,188 patients were moved or released within the past day, suggesting that their rehabilitation has improved.

“There is really little chance that the current virus would put more strain on the hospitals. Thus, there’s no reason to panic. Dr. Harshal R. Salve, an additional professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, stated that in order to detect the outbreak in its early stages, the sentinel surveillance system must be reinforced.

The states with the most instances to date are Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331).

Two novel coronavirus variations, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, which are mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variety, are responsible for this current wave. According to data from the Ministry of Health’s Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), both were discovered in India.

“There is no reason to fear, even though Covid instances are testing positive once more. Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Chief Superintendent of Motilal Nehru Joint Hospital in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, stated that it is because of a JN.1 variety that is apparently making a comeback.

Salve pointed out that since most people have innate immunity, serious infections from these mutations are uncommon.

“The symptoms resemble those of previous Covid infections. The majority of the population has a natural immunity that shields them from severe illness manifestations since they have already been sick, he said.

This sub-variety, however, “has high transmissibility.” N95 masks must be worn by older patients and those with comorbid conditions in order to prevent transmission. Hand washing and cough hygiene should be practiced generally, the expert continued.