New Delhi: According to a new survey by LocalCircles, one in five households in Maharashtra have at least one member who is dealing with viral symptoms. This raises concerns about a possible surge in infections. LocalCircles survey also sheds light on the rising viral-like illness all over the state. At the time of the survey, COVID-19 cases were relatively lower. Therefore, it raised eyebrows as to what could be the root cause of it all. The study gathered inputs from over 7 lakh households across 27 districts, and the results were astonishing.
What did the LocalCircles survey find?
22% of families reported at least one member suffering from fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and gastrointestinal discomfort. 15% of the families had two or more members showing symptoms of illness. This year so far, Maharashtra reported 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19; 26 of these were reported in one day. But the number is expected to be much higher. Earlier, the survey found that only one in 20 asymptomatic people go for a COVID-19 test, which points to underreporting of cases. Doctors are now concerned about how this may lead to a sudden surge in infections.
The survey also noted that 74% of households did not report signs of illness. 7% also said that one family member was unwell; 11% noted that two out of three patients showed symptoms, and 4% of the cases reported illness in four or more family members. The patterns highlight that viral infections are common in smaller cities and metro areas, affecting families irrespective of geography.
Medical professionals in Mumbai and other high-density areas have noticed a shift from common flu symptoms to those resembling COVID-19, such as shortness of breath and persistent cough. However, due to limited testing, many of these cases remain clinically undiagnosed. Compounding the issue is the rise of global COVID-19 cases in countries like Hong Kong and Singapore, hinting at a broader international trend that could eventually impact India.
Precautions advised to dodge COVID risk
Demographic breakdown of the survey noted that 54% participants were from Pune and Mumbai, and 46% were from other parts of Maharashtra. 63% of the respondents were male and 37% were women. Experts also noted that although the symptoms appear to be mild at first, immunocompromised people, the elderly, or others with chronic health problems must be extra cautious. Some of the precautions to take are:
- Wear masks in crowded places
- Maintain physical distance
- Wash hands regularly
Doctors say that rising cases are a reminder to stay alert. Public healthcare authorities call for regularly monitoring symptoms, not self-medicating, and consulting a doctor if the symptoms persist. Although it has not yet been declared an outbreak, quick action is a must to prevent the situation from escalating further.
What do doctors have to say about rising cases in Maharashtra?
Dr. Arup Halder, a consultant pulmonologist at CMRI Hospital in Kolkata, discusses the recent demographic changes of COVID infection in India, why Maharashtra is the hub, and what is the recent status of vaccination, COVID vaccination in India. As of May 2025, India reported 257 to 266 COVID-19 cases, with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra as emerging hotspots. Maharashtra alone reported around 56 new cases, primarily in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. Wild cases remain mild and hospitalisations and low, the JN.1 variant, and its sublineage, that is the LF7 and NB1.8, are driving infections due to enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion.
The vulnerable groups are elderly, they remain at higher risk of mortal symptoms. Now, why has Maharashtra been the hub from the beginning of the COVID-19 infections? This is because the urban density and travel hub it has become in the Indian continent, subcontinent. Mumbai is known to be a global transit hub, and it is a frequent international travel facilitator in various introductions. And we also have a waning immunity because lower booster intensely populated areas may contribute to susceptibility.
Maharashtra’s vaccination drive, if you remember, initially faced supply challenges, which have actually may have a lingering effect on the long term. Now the testing and surveillance is also more in Maharashtra, Maharashtra’s robust testing infrastructure detects more cases compared to other structure, other states, and the variant behaviour is also very important, that JN.1 variance spike, which is called L 445,5, a spike. The mutation that enhances its infectivity, making it 1.5 times more transmissible than that of earlier strains.
According to a new survey by LocalCircles, one in five households in Maharashtra have at least one member who is dealing with viral symptoms. This raises concerns about a possible surge in infections. LocalCircles survey also sheds light on the rising viral-like illness all over the state. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
