Kerala leads the pack with 69 fresh cases, followed by Maharashtra with 44, and Tamil Nadu close behind with 34. What’s more worrying is that Maharashtra also reported two recent deaths involving patients who tested positive for COVID-19. But doctors insist the virus wasn’t the direct cause—both individuals had pre-existing health conditions that were the primary culprits.
As of now, Maharashtra has 56 active cases, and the spotlight is on Mumbai, where the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital confirmed the deaths of a 59-year-old cancer patient and a 14-year-old girl suffering from kidney issues. Although both tested positive for the virus, they succumbed to their original illnesses. This has sparked a heated debate: should COVID-19 have been mentioned on their death certificates?
In one case, the family of the 59-year-old woman said they weren’t even handed her body. Instead, she was cremated at Bhoiwada crematorium with only two relatives present, as per COVID-19 protocol. “There was no communication. The family was simply informed it was done,” said Anil Kokil, a former corporator, who criticized the lack of sensitivity in how the situation was handled.
Responding to public outcry, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) clarified that both deaths were due to severe co-morbidities, not COVID-19 itself. The patients had traveled to Mumbai from Sindhudurg and Dombivli seeking advanced care. Their COVID-19-positive status, the BMC emphasized, was incidental—not the main factor in their deaths.
While the case numbers are still low, there’s growing concern over how prepared the city’s healthcare system is to handle a potential surge. Nearly 200 newly proposed Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres across Mumbai remain non-operational, crippled by staff shortages, budget issues, and lack of basic infrastructure.
On the ground, community health workers are sounding the alarm. Neha Kadam, who works at Kasturba Prathmik Kendra, described the daily grind. “One health worker is expected to cover more than 1,200 households. We don’t even have proper chairs, and forget about fans or decent workspace. We’re constantly out visiting homes. This isn’t sustainable if the numbers keep rising,” she said.
Despite these cracks in the system, the BMC is asking people to stay vigilant, not fearful. In a statement, the civic body said the situation is under control, and hospitals are well-equipped to handle any spike in infections. “There’s no need to panic. We’re monitoring everything closely,” a BMC spokesperson said.
From January to April 2025, Mumbai saw very few cases, almost giving the impression that the virus had moved on. But now, with fresh infections being reported in May, the warning signs are back—even if it's not yet a full-blown wave. So far, there are no clusters, and no large-scale outbreaks, but experts warn it’s no time for complacency.
The bottom line? COVID-19 isn’t gone—it’s just been quiet. But like before, it has a way of slipping back when we let our guard down. This time, the hope is that we’ve learned enough not to be caught off balance. The virus may not be roaring just yet, but it’s knocking again—and we better be ready.
Description:
"COVID-19 cases are rising again in India, with fresh infections reported in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. As Hong Kong and Singapore see a resurgence, concerns grow over Mumbai's healthcare readiness. Get the latest update on active cases, hospital responses, and what it means for India's COVID-19 preparedness in 2025."