IT Desk
Imphal, June 25:
Manipur has witnessed a sharp and sudden rise in COVID-19 cases over the past week, raising alarm among health authorities and public health experts. The state, which had been reporting minimal daily cases for the past several months, has now recorded a significant increase in new infections along with a steep rise in the test positivity rate, indicating the active spread of the virus within communities.
According to health department officials, the daily number of confirmed cases surged within a short span, with the test positivity rate climbing to over 14 percent in some districts. Although the number of hospitalizations remains low and no new COVID-related fatalities have been reported so far, the rapid increase in infections has prompted authorities to issue fresh advisories for testing, surveillance, and public awareness.
Health experts attribute the sudden spike to multiple factors including the relaxation of COVID-appropriate behavior, decline in booster dose vaccinations, and the emergence of new variants that are believed to be more transmissible, though relatively mild in symptoms. The onset of the monsoon season has also played a role, as people are spending more time indoors, creating conditions favorable for viral transmission.
Covid-19 update as on 24th June 2025 shows that since 1st June, a total of 554 samples have been tested in the state, out of which 171 have tested positive. A total of 34 patients have been discharged so far, and no deaths have been reported. On 24th June alone, 13 new positive cases were detected, with six cases from Imphal West and seven from Imphal East. Fourteen patients recovered and were discharged on the same day. With this, the number of active cases stands at 137. Among them, 124 are under home isolation, and 14 have already recovered under home-based care.
Officials from the Union Ministry of Health have directed the state government to enhance testing and strengthen hospital preparedness, including the availability of oxygen support, essential medicines, and isolation beds. While the dominant variant remains a sub-lineage of Omicron, the state has been advised to step up genomic surveillance in collaboration with central laboratories to monitor for any potentially concerning mutations.
Public health specialists in the state are calling for renewed public cooperation to contain the spread. They emphasize the need for voluntary testing, mask-wearing in crowded spaces, and vaccination of those who have not yet received booster doses, especially the elderly and immunocompromised. They also recommend that people experiencing flu-like symptoms avoid attending social gatherings and workplaces until they recover.
Though the current trend does not suggest a severe outbreak, the pace at which infections are rising is being closely watched. Experts warn that complacency at this stage could lead to a wider surge that may put pressure on healthcare systems, especially in rural and hill districts. The state government is expected to issue further guidelines depending on how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
The Government of Manipur has appealed to the public to stay calm and continue following COVID-appropriate behaviour, stating that these are precautionary steps taken to ensure preparedness and safeguard public health. The recent developments serve as a reminder that while the pandemic has receded from headlines, the virus continues to pose risks that require sustained public health vigilance.
