.jpeg)
New Delhi: Amid the surge in the Coronavirus cases in India, news of the death of a COVID-19 patient was received from Thane, Maharashtra on Saturday, 24 May 2025 while eight new cases of the viral infection were reported in the city, said the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). The TMC informed that there are a total of 18 active COVID-19 patients in the city, adding that only one of them is undergoing treatment at hospital while others are in home isolation and the condition of all of them was stated to be stable.
A 21-year-old man suffering from severe diabetes died due to "comorbidities" at the TMC's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital at Kalwa in the morning, the TMC release said. He had been admitted on Thursday. May 22 due to diabetes-related complications and his COVID-19 test came out positive on Friday night, May 23, said hospital superintendent Dr Aniruddha Malgaonkar.
Dr Aniruddha Malgaonkar informed that a 19-bed ward has been set up at the hospital for COVID-19 patients and it is equipped with RT-PCR testing facilities. The civic body held a high-level review meeting on Friday to assess the situation.
"A sufficient stock of medicines has been maintained at all health centres and COVID-19 testing kits are readily available," said chief medical officer Dr Chetna Nitil.
The civic body also assured that the situation was under control and appealed the public not to panic.
As of Saturday, 24 May 2025, there are a total of 18 active COVID-19 patients in Thane, 273 in Kerala, 35 in Karnataka with 32 in Bengaluru alone while Delhi registered 23 fresh cases, one each in Hyderabad and Noida, among others. In Delhi, all 23 patients reported only mild symptoms of the new variant and were quarantined at their homes.
Talking about outside India, COVID-19 cases have also risen in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and China have recently reported a rise in coronavirus cases.
How severe is COVID-19 variant JN.1?
Doctors in the national capital have urged the public not to panic over Covid-19 cases linked to the JN.1 variant which is spreading in India. According to PTI, doctors have said that the strain is "not severe" and most patients are experiencing only mild symptoms.
Health experts have said that most cases have not shown any sign of serious illness even though it is spreading. They warned that while the strain is "highly transmissible", the symptoms remain mostly mild.
Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) national spokesperson Dr Dhruv Chauhan said that people need not panic about the JN.1 variant.
"This is not a lethal variant and it's always better to take precautions like maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks where necessary such as in hospitals or crowded places and following respiratory hygiene. It is also important to get your symptoms checked by a qualified doctor," said Dr Chauhan while talking to news agency PTI.
Important points
- Medical professionals stress that prevention is the key as they advise people to wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible and in poorly ventilated settings
- Make sure your mask covers your nose, mouth and chin.
- Hand hygiene is important. Use a hand sanitiser or wash your hands with soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly.
- Avoid unnecessary travel if you are unwell.
- Make sure your vaccinations, including booster doses, are up to date.
