COVID-19 cases in India are rising, with most new infections reported from Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha. As of 9 AM on May 29, 2025, India has recorded 1,010 COVID-19 cases since May 19. Maharashtra has reported 3 COVID-related deaths, Kerala 2, and Karnataka 1. Detailed information on these cases is awaited.
Also Kerala tops the list of Covid cases with 430 active cases followed by Maharashtra at 210 and Delhi at 104. The new variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are currently being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO), with no cause for concern identified so far.
First COVID death in Chandigarh
A 40-year-old man from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, became the first confirmed COVID-19 fatality in Chandigarh this year after succumbing to the virus at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32. Admitted with severe respiratory complications, the patient was transferred from Ludhiana and placed in isolation after testing positive. Hospital authorities, while confirming the death, stated they have not yet determined whether the JN.1 variant was responsible.
Karnataka witnesses rising infections, high positivity rate
Meanwhile, Karnataka has reported a noticeable rise in COVID-19 cases, with 40 new infections recorded on May 28, raising active cases in the state to 126. The state conducted 395 tests on the same day, with the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) climbing to 10.12%, up from 9.44% a day earlier. So far in 2025, Karnataka has seen 211 COVID-19 cases and currently has two hospitalised patients.
Mumbai sees sharp uptick, Maharashtra records 3 deaths
Mumbai has also seen a significant resurgence, averaging 11 new cases per day in May, totaling 346 infections this month. On May 28 alone, the city reported 36 new cases. Although hospitalisations remain minimal, Maharashtra has recorded six COVID-related deaths in 2025, all involving individuals with serious comorbidities.
Health experts urge public caution without panic. “The virus is endemic now and requires a managed, rational response,” said a senior epidemiologist with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Maharashtra has reported a total of 521 cases since January 1, with 343 of those surfacing in May. On May 28, the state detected 86 new cases, with the highest counts from Mumbai (36), Thane (24), and Pune (9). The overall active caseload stands at 383.
Odisha records first cases
In eastern India, Odisha reported three new cases over the past two days, raising the state’s total to four for 2025. The cases were identified in Khurda and Bhubaneswar, according to Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health. One case was found in a government hospital, while the rest were detected in a private facility.
Experts call for vigilance
Across states, health authorities maintain that while case numbers are rising, the clinical severity remains low. Most patients experience mild symptoms like fever, fatigue, and sore throat. Still, experts emphasise the need for ongoing surveillance, responsible behaviour, and protection of vulnerable groups, especially as the virus continues to evolve.