New Delhi, 05 June 2025: As COVID-19 makes a concerning resurgence across parts of India, the Central Government has issued an urgent advisory to all states and Union Territories. The India on high alert, Centre has directed healthcare systems to bolster oxygen supply, hospital beds, and essential medicines, amid a spike in active COVID-19 cases, particularly in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
This directive comes as part of a proactive strategy to prevent any 2020-like chaos, with the Union Health Ministry emphasising early preparedness, infrastructure strengthening, and real-time monitoring of COVID-related healthcare resources.
Rising COVID-19 Cases in India: The Current Situation
As of June 3, 2025, India has recorded over 4,000 active COVID-19 cases, with several new infections reported in a 24-hour span. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are witnessing a significant uptick in new cases. While the total numbers remain relatively low compared to the peaks seen in 2020 and 2021, the rate of increase and the emergence of newer variants have raised alarms.
The death toll has also climbed slightly, with a few fatalities reported in the last few days. Experts believe that underreporting, delayed testing, and relaxed surveillance might be leading to undetected community transmission.
Centre’s Urgent Advisory: What It Says
In its latest communication to state health departments, the Centre urged immediate review of hospital readiness, focusing on key elements:
- Oxygen Production and Supply: States must ensure that oxygen plants are fully functional and equipped to handle a sudden rise in demand. Storage and backup systems must be verified and kept on standby.
- Availability of Hospital Beds: Dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and wards must reactivated where necessary. ICU beds and ventilators should checked for functionality, and occupancy data should be updated in real time.
- Stockpile of COVID Medicines: Essential drugs like Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, steroids, paracetamol, and antivirals must stocked in adequate quantities. Supply chains should be regularly reviewed to avoid shortages.
- Testing and Surveillance: The Centre has recommended intensified RT-PCR testing, genome sequencing, and rapid contact tracing, especially in hotspots and high-risk zones.
- Public Awareness: States have also asked to ramp up public information campaigns regarding preventive measures like mask-wearing in crowded places, hand hygiene, and timely vaccination.
According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), new subvariants of the Omicron lineage are being detected in clusters. While most of them are not leading to severe disease, they appear to be highly transmissible, especially in urban settings.
The emergence of immune-evasive variants in parts of Delhi and Mumbai prompted concerned surveillance and containment measures, with localized lockdowns being discussed, though not yet enforced.
India’s Healthcare Infrastructure: Are We Ready?
Since the second wave in 2021, India has made strides in building healthcare infrastructure, but disparities remain. Urban centers are better equipped than rural areas, and public hospitals in tier-2 and tier-3 cities often underfunded.
The Centre’s directive aims to bridge this preparedness gap, calling for state-wise audits of:
- Hospital infrastructure
- Ventilator availability
- Healthcare worker training and PPE stocks
- Real-time data reporting mechanisms
States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have already begun reactivating COVID-19 war rooms and control centers.
Vaccination Drive: Time for a Booster Push
The Centre also reiterated the importance of booster dose vaccination, especially for high-risk individuals such as the elderly, those with comorbidities, and healthcare/frontline workers.
States have asked to:
- Identify low-coverage districts
- Re-launch awareness drives
- Facilitate free booster dose camps in rural and semi-urban areas
India On High Alert currently has a stock of both Covishield and Covaxin, as well as updated formulations designed to target newer variants. However, public interest in getting vaccinate has waned which the government is aiming to reverse through community-level outreach.
Public Responsibility: What Citizens Should Do Now
In light of this warning from the Centre, citizens are advised to:
- Wear masks in closed or crowded public spaces
- Maintain hygiene, especially frequent hand washing and sanitizing
- Avoid large gatherings, unless absolutely necessary
- Get vaccinated, including booster shots
- Seek early medical help if symptoms like fever, cough, or fatigue arise
The Ministry of Health also advised vulnerable individuals to avoid travel and crowded areas during this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught India on high alert some harsh lessons. As cases begin to rise once again, the government is taking early action to prevent a repeat of past tragedies. But success in containing the virus this time will depend equally on the responsiveness of local authorities and vigilance of the public.
With the virus continuing to mutate and spread, the Centre’s missive is not just a warning—it’s a call to action. As the world watches, India must show that it has learnt, adapted, and prepared for what may come next.
