Mumbai: Two individuals, including a 14-year-old girl, died at Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital on Sunday night after testing positive for Covid-19. However, health authorities clarified that the deaths were primarily due to serious underlying health conditions, not the virus itself.
The teenage patient was suffering from nephrotic syndrome, which led to kidney failure and hypocalcaemic seizures. The second patient, a 54-year-old cancer patient, was undergoing treatment when both succumbed to their illnesses. Both victims were from outside Mumbai — one from Sindhudurg and the other from Dombivli.
Hospital officials and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) emphasized that the virus played only a secondary role in the deaths and stated that there is no reason to panic. “The virus is currently behaving more like an endemic respiratory infection,” said a BMC spokesperson.
The civic body acknowledged a slight increase in Covid-19 cases this May compared to previous months, but assured that the situation remains under control. “From January to April 2025, the number of Covid-19 cases was very low. Since May, some sporadic cases have emerged,” the BMC added.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry is closely tracking developments in Asia, where a surge in Covid-19 cases has been reported in Singapore and Hong Kong. A high-level meeting was held in New Delhi on Monday to assess the situation, attended by senior officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other central health agencies.
Asia Sees Rise in Covid Cases
Singapore and Hong Kong are currently experiencing a significant uptick in Covid-19 infections, driven by the highly transmissible JN.1 variant and its sublineages LF.7 and NB.1.8. These strains account for over two-thirds of recent cases in Singapore.
Experts believe the rise is linked to reduced immunity in the population, fewer preventive measures, and increased social activity. In Hong Kong, the surge has led to a rise in hospital admissions and deaths, particularly among elderly patients with preexisting health issues.
Despite the regional increase, Indian health authorities maintain that the domestic situation remains stable and are taking proactive steps to monitor and manage any potential rise in infections.
