India’s active COVID-19 caseload has risen sharply to 3,758, with 363 fresh cases and four additional deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, as per the latest update from the Union Health Ministry on Sunday.

The four fatalities were reported across multiple states: one each in Kerala and Karnataka, and two in West Bengal. Kerala, which remains the hardest-hit state, currently accounts for 1,400 of the active cases. Other states with significant numbers include Maharashtra (485), Delhi (436), Gujarat (320), and West Bengal (287), as per the ministry's data/ 

This recent surge in cases marks a noticeable uptick. Just a week ago, on May 22, India had only 257 active COVID cases. By May 26, the number had climbed to 1,010, and as of Saturday, it had more than tripled to 3,395.

In terms of new infections, West Bengal saw the highest number with 82 cases, followed by Kerala (64), Delhi (61), and Gujarat (55), the data reveals.

Experts Urge Public To Stay Calm

However, despite the surge in cases, health experts have urged the public to stay calm. Rajiv Behl, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), stressed that recent genome sequencing of samples from the western and southern regions shows that the current wave is driven by subvariants of the Omicron strain. While the variants—LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1—are causing the rise in cases and early findings suggest they are relatively mild.

"We’ve been closely monitoring the situation, and while we should remain vigilant, there’s no need for panic at this stage," Behl reassured the public.

As India navigates this new wave, authorities continue to advise caution, urging people to follow safety guidelines while stressing that, so far, the severity of the current strains remains manageable.