Covid-19 Cases In India: Cases Rise To 4,866; Kerala Most Affected (image: Pixabay)

As the reports of active Covid-19 cases are rising in India, Kerala witnessing an alarming spike. In the last 24 hours, India recorded nearly 300 fresh Covid cases, with the highest number of cases being reported from Kerala.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of active cases in the country stands at 4,866, with seven deaths as of Thursday morning. Among the new cases, Kerala tops with 114 cases, followed by Karnataka (112), West Bengal (106), and Delhi (105).

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In Kerala, health department has intensified Covid-19 monitoring across the state. It is important for people to undertake Covid tests if they come to hospitals or clinics with symptoms of influenza-like fever and other respiratory infections. According to the circular of the Director of the Health Department, even if the result of the Rapid Antigen Test turns negative, the patient has to undergo RT-PCR. Authorities have also made masks mandatory for high-risk individuals likely to develop serious illness.

As per media reports, in response to the rising cases, the Union government is set to conduct a nationwide facility-level Covid-19 mock drill on Thursday to evaluate preparedness of hospitals. The drill is majorly intended to asses the availability of essential resources in the medical facilities such as oxygen supply systems, availability of essential medicines, and the status of ventilators.

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The current spike is linked to NB.1.8.1, a highly transmissible new Covid-19 subvariant that has been detected in India.