Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: India reported four new Covid-related deaths on Saturday, taking the national toll for the year to 59. Among the deceased was a full-term pregnant woman from Madhya Pradesh, who experienced seizures during delivery and later tested positive for Covid.
The highest number of Covid deaths this year has been reported in Maharashtra, which recorded one additional fatality, bringing the state’s total to 18. Kerala reported a Covid death in a cancer patient, raising its toll to 12. The fourth death was recorded in Tamil Nadu.
Rising Cases Prompt Govt Action
India’s active Covid caseload has now reached 5,755. In response, the central government is conducting mock drills to evaluate facility-level preparedness, ensuring hospitals are equipped with oxygen supply, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines.
Authorities stress that most cases remain mild and are being managed at home.
High-Level Meetings to Review Situation
To assess the evolving situation, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sunita Sharma, chaired a series of review meetings on June 2 and 3, involving representatives from:
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Disaster Management Cell
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Emergency Management Response Cell
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National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
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Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
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Central government hospitals in Delhi
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State and Union Territory health departments
Focus on ILI & SARI Surveillance
On June 4, official sources confirmed that state and district surveillance units under IDSP are closely monitoring trends in influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). Testing has been recommended for:
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All admitted SARI cases
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5% of ILI cases
Positive samples from SARI cases are being sent for whole genome sequencing through the ICMR-VRDL network to track emerging variants.
