About Covid-19

Active Covid-19 cases in India have risen above 4,000, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Health experts link the current increase to newly emerging Omicron sub-variants, including LF7, XFG, NB.1.8.1, and particularly JN.1, which is under close observation. Doctors have advised that vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, those with underlying health issues, children, and individuals with weakened immune systems—should exercise extra caution.
 
Common symptoms during this wave include a low-grade fever, dry cough or sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, fatigue, body aches, headache, and in some instances, mild breathing difficulties or diarrhoea. Although once common, loss of taste or smell is now reported less frequently.

Younger population seeing high rates of infection amid Covid surge: Experts

According to data available on the Union health ministry's Covid dashboard, India has 5,976 active cases from 29 states and Union Territories (UTs) as of June 19

Updated On: Jun 19 2025 | 4:48 PM IST

India's active Covid-19 cases fall under 6,000; three deaths in 24 hours

India Covid-19 update: Of the three fatalities, two were from Delhi, while one was from Kerala. All the victims were elderly individuals and had chronic health issues

Updated On: Jun 19 2025 | 11:02 AM IST

Pune scientists isolating Covid sub-variants behind India's new cases

The move to identify the current sub-variants will help in assessing vaccine effectiveness and whether a new vaccine is needed, said Dr Naveen Kumar of the NIV

Updated On: Jun 18 2025 | 8:03 PM IST

India's active Covid-19 caseload drops to 6,483; 4 deaths reported

India Covid-19 update: Of the four deaths, two were reported in Maharashtra, while Kerala and Delhi accounted for one each

Updated On: Jun 18 2025 | 12:13 PM IST

Latest Updates on Covid-19

Best of BS Opinion: Mining reforms risk undermining fiscal federalism

Today's pieces examine mining reforms and fiscal federalism, India's need for a caregiving policy, stronger bank boards, urban governance and lessons in crisis leadership

Updated On: 14 Aug 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

Courage Under Fire: Chronicles of hard-won lessons in crises and leadership

Suresh Narayanan's memoir offers thoughtful lessons in crisis management and leadership, drawing on the Maggi controversy, Covid-19 and crises across global markets

Updated On: 13 Aug 2026 | 10:10 PM IST

Severe Covid-19 may 'wake up' dormant viruses in the body, study finds

The findings suggest severe Covid-19 could alter the body's existing viral environment, although further research is needed to understand the impact

Updated On: 11 Aug 2026 | 12:43 PM IST

Covid cases are climbing in parts of India: Should you be worried?

Andhra Pradesh has reported 12 Covid-19 cases and four deaths since late June, raising fresh concerns about the virus. But is this the beginning of another wave?

Updated On: 23 Jul 2026 | 11:37 AM IST
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Sugar trade body calls shortage fears 'unwarranted', urges steady supplies

The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) on Monday said that reports of a sugar shortage are unfounded, even as ex-factory prices rose about 15 per cent in less than a month, and urged its members to ensure steady availability of the sweetener across the country. In a communication to its 700 affiliated principal members and associations, AISTA said the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) had, on July 17, jointly clarified that the country has adequate sugar stocks to meet domestic demand. The sugar industry has also agreed to commence the 2026-27 season (October-September) at the earliest, depending on agro-climatic conditions, the association said. "The recent rise in ex-factory sugar prices -- about 15 per cent in less than a month -- has created an unwarranted impression of a shortage," AISTA Chairman Praful Vithalani said in the communication. He urged stakeholders across the sugar .

Updated On: 20 Jul 2026 | 7:01 PM IST

Omicron RF.5 variant detected in four Covid-19 samples in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has said the Omicron RF.5 variant has been detected in the state following genome sequencing of four Covid-19 positive samples. The Health Department has sent four samples from Covid-19 cases reported in Kadapa district to a virology laboratory in Pune for testing, and the results have confirmed the presence of the RF.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant. "Genome sequencing at a virology laboratory in Pune has confirmed the presence of the Omicron RF.5 variant in four COVID-19 positive samples from Kadapa district," said Yadav in an official press release late on Saturday. The Minister held discussions with senior health officials over the phone regarding the findings from Pune and reviewed the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the southern state. RF.5 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and is among the several Omicron sub-lineages identified across the world, said the press release. Director of Medical Educat

Updated On: 19 Jul 2026 | 12:59 PM IST

Andhra sees 12 Covid cases, 4 deaths since June 26; NIV to identify variant

Health authorities said infections are spread across multiple districts with no evidence of localised transmission, while five samples have been sent to NIV Pune for genome sequencing

Updated On: 17 Jul 2026 | 11:16 AM IST

Andhra Covid deaths put states on alert; experts say no need for panic

After two Covid-19 deaths in Andhra Pradesh, neighbouring states have stepped up surveillance and testing, while health experts say current variants are mild and there is no need to panic

Updated On: 14 Jul 2026 | 8:16 PM IST

How great leaders shape culture | Expert’s take

In this session, Dinesh Gulati, COO of IndiaMART, shares his rich experience and provides career tips to the B-Schoolers.

Updated On: 01 Jul 2026 | 3:00 PM IST
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Mastering the business of travel & tourism

In this session of Manager’s Mantra, Wifred Selvaraj, Managing Director, LGT Holidays, talks about India’s travel and tourism industry and provides management tips.

Updated On: 08 Jun 2026 | 8:11 PM IST
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Covid pandemic left 55,000 cancer cases undiagnosed in 7 nations: Study

An estimated 16% of expected cancer diagnoses across Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK were missing between April and December 2020, compared with pre-pandemic trends

Updated On: 02 Jun 2026 | 7:18 AM IST

World is more vulnerable to pandemics despite Covid-19 lessons, warns WHO

A new global preparedness report warns that future outbreaks could become more disruptive as trust declines and pandemic funding slips worldwide

Updated On: 19 May 2026 | 4:12 PM IST

From Covid-19 compulsion to office mandates: India's five-year WFH journey

The sudden lockdown sent the Indian workforce into a panic, and prompted a hasty overnight pivot to a work model that few companies had planned for

Updated On: 11 May 2026 | 3:39 PM IST

Scientists find new Covid-like virus in Thai bats with human infection risk

Researchers identified a sarbecovirus strain in Thai bats that may bind to human ACE2 receptors, though no human infections or community spread have been reported

Updated On: 10 May 2026 | 6:48 PM IST

But for the RBI's management, rupee would have been far more volatile

Global shocks from pandemics to wars are reshaping currencies and capital flows, raising questions on RBI's role and India's external stability strategy

Updated On: 23 Apr 2026 | 11:06 PM IST

Faith and Fury: Why Jyoti Yadav's Covid chronicle still haunts India

Jyoti Yadav's debut book captures untold stories of migrant distress, rural suffering, and systemic gaps during India's Covid-19 crisis

Updated On: 10 Apr 2026 | 10:20 PM IST

The Covid lessons: West Asia conflict can also be used to usher in reforms

West Asia conflict may disrupt Budget 2026-27 projections, squeezing revenues and raising subsidies, prompting fiscal adjustments and potential reforms, echoing lessons from the Covid-era shock

Updated On: 07 Apr 2026 | 10:37 PM IST

Modern-age hospitality is more than front office, rooms, and F&B

In this session, Pranav Dangi, Founder & CEO of Hosteller, shares his thoughts on the evolving travel and tourism space and provides career tips

Updated On: 02 Apr 2026 | 1:45 PM IST
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'Cicada' Covid variant BA.3.2 detected in 23 countries: What we know so far

A highly mutated Covid variant, 'Cicada', is now seen in over 20 countries, but experts say there is no need to panic as it has not been linked to more serious disease yet

Updated On: 31 Mar 2026 | 10:54 AM IST

This is not a time to be bearish on markets: Rishi Kohli, Jio BlackRock AMC

Given that the last 18 months have been weak in terms of valuations, earnings and technical trends, the outlook for the next 18 months is becoming attractive, he said.

Updated On: 18 Mar 2026 | 10:50 PM IST