New Delhi: Amid a reported increase in Covid-19 cases in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the Central government convened a review meeting with health experts to assess the situation in India.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and included experts 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.
Following the meeting, a note shared by the ministry stated, “As per the preliminary information available, the cases are mostly mild, not associated with unusual severity or mortality.”
According to data shared by the government as of May 19, 2025, the number of active Covid-19 cases in India stands at 257, with the majority of cases being mild and not requiring hospitalization.
The meeting concluded that the Covid-19 situation in India remains under control. The Union Health Ministry continues to remain vigilant and proactive in closely monitoring developments, the official release added.
A robust system for the surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including Covid-19, exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR, the statement noted.
Recently, countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong have reported a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
In early May 2025, Singapore saw a significant increase, with cases rising from around 11,100 in the last week of April to about 14,200 in the first week of May. Hong Kong has also reported a steep increase in cases.
The latest surge is being linked to the JN.1 variant, described by experts as a highly infectious strain. Although it is not considered deadlier, it is spreading rapidly across borders — and the warning signs are eerily familiar.
While the majority of active cases in India are mild, media reports indicate that hospitalisations in Singapore rose by around 30 per cent during the same period. Hong Kong recorded 31 Covid-related deaths in the week ending May 3, 2025.
