India’s Covid-19 death toll has crossed the 100-mark in the current wave, reaching 108 after 11 deaths were reported on Monday — the highest single-day toll so far. Kerala, the worst-hit state in the recent surge, reported seven deaths, while one death each was reported from Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
All seven victims from Kerala were above 60 years of age and had underlying health conditions such as cancer, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and pneumonia. The victim from Delhi was a 67-year-old man with a history of lung cancer. Senior health ministry officials reiterated that the majority of Covid-19 fatalities involve individuals with comorbidities.
Currently, Kerala has the highest number of active cases (1,920), followed by Gujarat (1,433), Delhi (649), and Maharashtra (540). States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana have also reported cases in recent days.
Experts suspect the surge is driven by new sub-variants of the coronavirus, capable of evading immunity from past infections and vaccinations. However, these variants are not causing severe illness. Dr. Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Saket, emphasized that most infections resemble common flu and require only symptomatic treatment and isolation. “There is no need for widespread testing or panic,” he said.
Most cases are being managed at home. Still, the Union Health Ministry has issued advisories to all states to ensure readiness of hospitals, including the availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, as a precautionary measure.
