Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding a potential increase in COVID-19 cases following a WHO warning in May 2025 about rising global SARS-CoV-2 activity, including in India, and the emergence of new variants. While the NB.1.8.1 variant (Nimbus) was noted, current evidence suggests no additional public health risks compared to other Omicron lineages. The Ministry issued an advisory to States/UTs on May 29, 2025, to review hospital preparedness and follow surveillance guidelines.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **WHO Warning:**
* On May 28, 2025, WHO issued a Disease Outbreak News (DON) highlighting increased global SARS-CoV-2 activity since mid-February 2025, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions, including India.
* The report mentioned an increase in the reporting of the NB.1.8.1 variant (Nimbus) since early 2025.
* The overall increase in COVID-19 cases was broadly consistent with levels observed during the same period in the previous year.
* WHO's risk assessment indicated that NB.1.8.1 and XFG variants do not pose additional public health risks relative to other circulating Omicron lineages.
* COVID-19 cases in the country have significantly declined since mid-June 2025, with most cases being mild.
* **Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Advisory:**
* On May 29, 2025, an advisory was issued to all States/UTs to review hospital preparedness, focusing on diagnostics, essential drugs, PPEs, isolation beds, medical oxygen, ICU, and ventilator-supported beds.
* States/UTs were requested to closely monitor Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) trends and conduct COVID-19 testing as per the Ministry's guidelines.
* States/UTs were advised to refer adequate samples for whole genomic sequencing.
* States/UTs were urged to conduct mock drills to assess the preparedness of health facilities, including infrastructure, logistics, drugs, equipment, and healthcare workforce.
* **Long-Term Preparedness:**
* Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) has been launched to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities for managing new and emerging diseases.
Impact Analysis:
**States/Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Required to review and enhance hospital preparedness, monitor disease trends, conduct testing, and participate in mock drills.
* *Action Required:* Review hospital preparedness, ensure availability of resources, follow surveillance guidelines, refer samples for genomic sequencing, and conduct mock drills.
**Health Facilities:**
* *Impact:* Need to ensure readiness to handle potential increases in COVID-19 cases and other emerging diseases.
* *Action Required:* Assess and improve infrastructure, logistics, and workforce capacity.
**Healthcare Workforce:**
* *Impact:* Must be prepared to respond to potential surges in COVID-19 cases and other public health emergencies.
* *Action Required:* Participate in mock drills and ensure proficiency in handling COVID-19 cases.
Key Entities Referenced
COVID-19: The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
World Health Organization (WHO): An international organization responsible for public health, which issued a warning about an increase in coronavirus cases.
India: A country mentioned as experiencing an increase in coronavirus cases.
NB.1.8.1 variant Nimbus: A specific variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was reported to be increasing globally.
XFG: A specific variant of SARS-CoV-2 being monitored.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health and family welfare, which issued an advisory to states and union territories.
States/UTs: Refers to States and Union Territories of India, which were advised to review hospital preparedness and follow surveillance guidelines.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM): A government initiative to enhance healthcare infrastructure for managing diseases.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 928
TO BE ANSWERED ON25.07.2025
NEW VARIANTSOFCORONAVIRUS
928 SHRIRAJAA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH & FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether World Health Organisation (WHO) issued warning during the summer of 2025, that
there was sudden increase incorona cases inseveral countriesincludingIndia;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof;
(c) whether special variants such as Nimbus and XFG are mainly responsible for the spread of
newwave of corona andif so, the details thereof; and
(d) the action plan proposed bythe Government in this regard including issuing advisories to the
StateGovernments?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH & FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (c) The World Health Organization (WHO) on 28 May 2025, issued a Disease Outbreak
News (DON) wherein it highlighted that since mid-February 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 activity
had increased, particularly from countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and
Western Pacific regions, including India. The said report also pointed out that, since early 2025,
global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends slightly shifted and reporting of NB.1.8.1 variant (Nimbus)
had increased. However, overall increase in COVID-19 was broadly consistent with levels
observed during the same periodinthe previousyear.
As per WHO risk assessment, the available evidence on NB.1.8.1 and XFG does not suggest
additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent
lineages. Since mid of June, 2025 the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in the country has declined
significantly. As reported by States/UTs, most of the cases were mild in nature and resolved on
theirown.
Page1of2(d). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 29 May 2025 issued anadvisory to allStates/UTs
toundertake reviewof hospital preparedness with special focusonthe availability of diagnostics,
essential drugs, PPEs,isolation beds, medicaloxygen,ICU andventilatorsupported beds.
All States/UTs were also requested to closely follow the trend of Influenza Like Illness/ Severe
Acute Respiratory Illness while undertaking testing for COVID-19 as per this Ministry's
'Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in context of COVID-19'. State/UTs
were also advised toreferadequate numberof samples for whole genomic sequencing.
The Ministry also urged all States/UTs to undertake mock drills to assess preparedness and
operational readiness of all health facilities in the country including requisite infrastructure,
logistics (includingdrugs andequipment) aswell ashealthcareworkforce inthe country.
With the long-term goal to betterprepare our countryagainst public health emergencies, Pradhan
Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched with
the intentto enhancethe capacityof primary, secondary andtertiaryhealthcare facilities/systems
andinstitutes for identifying andmanaginganynewandemergingdiseases.
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