Maharashtra Health Department Issues Fresh Guidelines as Omicron Subvariants Drive Rise in Cases
Pune, 2nd June 2025: Across India, COVID-19 infections are on the rise, and Maharashtra continues to report an increase in patient numbers. Against this backdrop, the central government has issued fresh advisory guidelines, which the Maharashtra Health Department has already begun implementing. Authorities have urged senior citizens, individuals with two or more diseases and those with weakened immunity to wear masks in crowded places. Simultaneously, the health department has initiated a comprehensive review of the preparedness of healthcare facilities.
Maharashtra Health Secretaries Nipun Vinayak and Virendra Singh sent a letter to all district collectors, municipal commissioners, and chief executive officers of zilla parishads on Monday. The letter stated, “A rise in COVID-19 cases is being observed in some parts of the country. Most patients are exhibiting mild symptoms. Omicron subvariants JN.1, XFG, and LF 7.9 are contributing to the surge in cases. Common symptoms among patients include fever, cough, and sore throat. Currently, 90% of the country’s active COVID-19 cases are concentrated in six states: Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Maharashtra currently has 506 active cases, with Mumbai reporting the highest numbers. In light of this, the state will act on the central government’s advisory guidelines.”
The health department has directed district and sub-district authorities, as well as medical colleges, tertiary care institutions, municipal and city hospitals, and all inpatient service providers, to review their readiness. Hospitals have been instructed to ensure the availability of diagnostic facilities, essential medicines, PPE kits, isolation beds, medical oxygen, ICU beds, and ventilators. Demonstrations to test the preparedness of oxygen generation projects have also been ordered, and all medical services must promptly submit reports to the health department.
The government’s instructions include closely monitoring all respiratory patients, conducting surveys of respiratory patients, sending 5% of respiratory patient samples for testing, sending positive samples for genome sequencing, running public awareness campaigns on personal hygiene, and urging the elderly, those with multiple diseases and weak immunity individuals to wear masks in crowded places. These steps are aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the healthcare system remains prepared for any eventuality.
