Seven more deaths reported as the number of COVID-19 cases rises above 4,000

A hospital staff carrying test samples from a COVID-19 test sample collection facility at GG Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on June 1, 2025. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Seven more COVID-19 deaths had been reported in the country in the previous 24 hours, as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) morning. Maharashtra reported the highest number of deaths (four). One death each has been reported from Delhi, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The total death toll stands at 44, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.

“The public is advised to practice hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoid crowded places when unwell. Individuals with acute respiratory illness should self-monitor and seek medical care if symptoms worsen,” a senior Health Ministry official said, after a series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and June 3 in view of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in India.

The official said that State governments had already been instructed to ensure the availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines.

“State and District surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) are closely monitoring influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI),” the official added.

India reported 864 more COVID-19 cases during this period, taking the number of cases in 2025 to 4,302, the Health Ministry said in its updated data.

According to details released by the Ministry, the deceased in Maharashtra included a 55-year-old male with cardiac arrythmia and other health complications. “Patient was also a known case of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with chronic bronchitis,” the data stated.

Another male, 73, had cardiogenic shock, Parkinson’s disease, COVID-19 pneumonia, and hypertension.

Two other fatalities in Maharashtra were a 23-year-old female with diabetes mellitus, and a 27-year-old male with a comorbid condition, and alcohol withdrawal seizure.

The death in Tamil Nadu was that of a male, 76, with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), COVID-19 pneumonia, and sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

While details are awaited from the case in Gujarat, Delhi reported one more death — a female, 22, with lower respiratory tract infection, COVID-19 pneumonia, shock, and Type 1 respiratory failure.

“Deaths have been reported primarily among individuals with pre-existing illnesses,” a Ministry official said.

The official added that mock drills assessing oxygen supply systems are currently ongoing. Also, surveillance testing has been recommended for all admitted SARI cases, and for 5% of ILI cases, as per guidelines.

All positive SARI samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the Indian Council of Medical Research - Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ICMR-VRDL) network.

“The Union Health Ministry continues to closely monitor the situation,” the official said.

The surge in COVID-19 cases this year have been driven by four variants — LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB. 1.8.1.

“These new infections are happening because the protection from previous infections and vaccination is reduced. However, the symptoms so far are mild, and while there is a need to be prepared, there is no need for panic,” head of the ICMR, Rajiv Bahl, said.

Published - June 04, 2025 10:09 pm IST