Munish Sood
MANDI: After a gap of nearly two and a half years, Himachal Pradesh has reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19, triggering health alerts across the state.
An 82-year-old woman from the Sarahan region of Sirmaur district tested positive for the virus during a routine check-up at the Nahan Medical College. Although hospital authorities advised her admission to the isolation ward, her family opted for home isolation.
The health department has since launched contact tracing and sample collection of all individuals who came into direct contact with the patient. Her sample has also been sent to the Mandi laboratory for genome sequencing to determine the variant.
The state health department has responded swiftly by activating precautionary measures and issuing a detailed advisory to all medical institutions. Six beds have been kept in reserve for COVID-19 patients at Nahan Medical College, with oxygen supply and isolation facilities in place. A special team from the health department visited the patient’s home, assessed the situation and began compiling a list of close contacts.
In its advisory, the Himachal Pradesh government has directed all hospitals to ensure the availability of critical infrastructure, including beds, oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, BiPAP machines, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, antibiotics and other essential medicines. All Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases must be reported on the IHIP-IDSP portal.
COVID-positive samples from across the state are to be sent for whole genome sequencing to designated laboratories. The advisory also emphasises strict surveillance of elderly and immunocompromised individuals, and urges the public to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks, hand hygiene and avoiding large gatherings.
This isolated case in Himachal Pradesh comes at a time when India is witnessing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases. As of June 3, 2025, the country has recorded 4,026 active cases. In the last 24 hours alone, five COVID-related deaths have been reported, bringing the death toll of the current wave to 37.
States like Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi are among the worst affected. The latest surge is being linked to emerging Omicron sub-variants such as JN.1, NB.1.8.1, XFG, and LF.7, which are being closely monitored by the Union Ministry of Health and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Although most of the current infections are mild in nature with low hospitalisation rates, the central government has instructed all states to remain prepared for any escalation. Nationwide mock drills are being conducted to check the readiness of healthcare infrastructure, oxygen generation plants and emergency services.
