• Source:JND
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COVID-19 Update: COVID-19 appears to be resurging, with a noticeable rise in infections across major Asian cities like Hong Kong and Singapore. India is also witnessing a gradual uptick, reporting 164 new cases since 12 May. The country now has 257 active cases, with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu recording the highest numbers.

In the last week alone, Kerala recorded 69 fresh infections, Maharashtra reported 44, and Tamil Nadu added 34 new cases. Maharashtra also reported two deaths, although doctors have clarified that these were not caused by COVID-19, even though both patients had tested positive for the virus, reported NDTV.

COVID-19 Situation in Maharashtra

Maharashtra now has 56 active COVID-19 cases. Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital recently reported two deaths — a 59-year-old cancer patient and a 14-year-old girl with kidney disease. Both had tested positive for COVID-19, but doctors confirmed they died due to their existing health conditions.

Questions have been raised as to why COVID-19 wasn't mentioned on their death certificates. It was also reported that KEM Hospital did not hand over the body of the 59-year-old woman to her family. Instead, she was cremated at Bhoiwada crematorium with only two family members present, in line with health protocols, said former corporator Anil Kokil.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) clarified that the deaths were due to serious pre-existing illnesses and not directly caused by COVID-19. Both patients had been brought to Mumbai for treatment from Sindhudurg and Dombivli.

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Healthcare Challenges in Mumbai

As COVID-19 cases slowly rise, concerns are growing about Mumbai’s public healthcare system. Around 200 new primary health centres (PHCs) and sub-centres are reportedly non-functional due to shortages of staff, funding, and basic facilities.

Neha Kadam, a community health volunteer at Kasturba Prathmik Kendra, pointed out the struggles faced by health workers. “Each staff member is in charge of nearly 1,200 households. We don’t even have chairs to sit on. We have to visit patients door to door, and the infrastructure is far from ideal. More preparations are needed as case numbers increase,” she said while speaking to NDTV.

The BMC has urged residents not to panic, assuring that the situation is under control and hospitals are well-equipped to manage any surge.

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From January to April 2025, Mumbai reported very few COVID-19 cases. While a few cases have emerged in May, authorities say they remain isolated, with no signs of a large outbreak or cluster.

Health officials in Hong Kong and Singapore have also raised alerts about a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections sweeping across Asia. In Hong Kong, the virus activity is now “quite high,” according to Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the city’s Centre for Health Protection.