Delhi records two Covid deaths in 24 hours amid rising JN.1 cases

Delhi recorded two Covid-19 deaths within 24 hours, increasing the city’s 2024 death toll to three amid a rise in infections linked to the JN.1 variant.

The two deceased were a 60-year-old woman with acute intestinal obstruction post-surgery and a 71-year-old man suffering pneumonia, septic shock, and acute kidney injury. Both had severe underlying health conditions.

"Mild symptoms in the general population don’t mean low risk for all," experts warn, emphasizing the danger of overlooking baseline health amid infections.

Delhi reported 81 new Covid cases, bringing its active caseload to 375, while India’s total active cases reached 3,395 as of May 31, 2025.

The JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron BA.2.86, now accounts for approximately 95% of recent infections in India, marking a shift from minimal Covid activity in May 2024 to a notable rise this year.

Dr. Romel Tickoo, director of Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, noted, "During May 2024, India witnessed minimal Covid-19 activity, with very few active cases across the country. Nevertheless, by May 2025, the situation changed with a notable rise in case numbers."

Deaths reported in Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka share a common factor: severe co-morbidities such as heart conditions, sepsis, and post-operative complications.

"Overlooking one’s baseline health today can be dangerous in the face of even a mild infection," health experts caution.

This resurgence underscores the need for vigilance, especially among vulnerable populations, despite the overall mild symptoms seen in many Covid cases currently.

Delhi reported two Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours, raising the city’s 2024 toll to three amid 81 new infections and 375 active cases. The JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron BA.2.86, now accounts for 95% of cases in India, where active cases total 3,395 nationwide.