Mon May 26 11:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

India is experiencing a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, with a total of 1,009 active cases reported on May 26, 2025, compared to 257 the previous week. The rise is mainly attributed to states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Two new COVID variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, have been detected, but the WHO classifies them as Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs), not of greater concern. The Health Ministry assures that most cases are mild and under home care, and that existing surveillance systems are monitoring the situation. There are also reports of increased cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, but no indication suggests the variants are more transmissible or cause more severe illness. The ministry remains vigilant and is proactively monitoring the situation.

**News Article:**

**India Monitors Slight COVID-19 Case Increase, New Variants Detected**

**New Delhi, May 26, 2025** – India is closely monitoring a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, with the Health Ministry reporting 1,009 active cases nationwide as of today. This marks an increase from the 257 cases reported just a week ago on May 19th. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are driving the rise in infections.

The Ministry has confirmed the detection of two new COVID-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, within the country. While these variants have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs), the Health Ministry assures that there is currently no evidence to suggest they are more transmissible or cause more severe illness than previously circulating strains. NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, and four cases of LF.7 were detected in May. These variants have been linked to surges in other Asian countries like China.

“It may be noted that there is a robust pan India system for surveillance of respiratory illnesses including Covid-19 through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR’s pan India respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network. It is observed that most of these cases are mild and under home care,’’ the Health Ministry stated in a release.

The Ministry is also aware of increased COVID-19 activity in Singapore and Hong Kong. However, communication with international health authorities has revealed “no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to the previously circulating variants.”

The Union Health Ministry emphasized that it remains vigilant and is actively monitoring the situation through its established surveillance networks. While urging the public to remain cautious, officials reiterated that the existing surveillance and response mechanisms are well-equipped to handle the current situation.

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