A new variant of coronavirus called Nimbus is rapidly growing in India, crossing over 6,000 cases as of the early hours of June 9, 2025. The latest variant of Covid is mildly more infectious; however, its severity remains low.
Experts told GoodReturns that viruses tend to spread and survive more during monsoon, and hence they are predicting calm in the latest Covid surge after rainy season. Will it impact Sensex and Nifty, which had one of the biggest crashes in the previous three waves of Covid?
Latest Covid Cases:
As of June 9, 2025, at the time of writing, a total of 6,133 Covid cases are active, as per the Health Ministry data. While a total of 6,237 Covid cases have been reported so far since January 1, 2025, including cured/discharged and migrated.
Among the active cases, Kerala has rocked the chart with 1,950 patients still suffering through the new variant of Covid. This was followed by 822 active cases in Gujarat, 693 cases in West Bengal, 686 cases in Delhi, and 595 cases in Maharashtra.
From the previous day, Kerala recorded a surge of 198 new cases, followed by Karnataka with 133 new cases and Delhi with 132 new patients. Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal reported 68, 78 and 53 new cases as well on a day-on-day basis.
The fatality rate is low at 6 so far.
How are the current symptoms of Covid different from the previous three waves?
"In the current surge, we are observing mostly mild to moderate symptoms like sore throat, cough, low-grade fever, and body ache. Unlike the second wave, there's very little involvement of the lungs or drop in oxygen levels. Hospital admissions are also fewer," Dr. Khushali Lalcheta, Consultant Internal Medicine at HCG Hospitals, Rajkot told GoodReturns.
Adding, Dr. Lalcheta said, "Unlike the second wave, there's very little involvement of the lungs or drop in oxygen levels. Hospital admissions are also fewer."
These Covid variants are each linked to the other.
"COVID-19 can now be broadly divided into three phases - Phase I, II, and III - each linked to different variants. The second phase was the most severe, with a high number of serious cases. The third wave was much milder in comparison," Dr. Sachin Kumar, Director of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, told us.
The first wave of coronavirus appeared in late December of 2019 in the small region of Wuhan, China, with the majority of cases linked to people who visited a bustling Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market there. The cases piled up in China first and further blew up across the world, forcing nations, including India, to declare nationwide lockdowns, halting business activities and life in general.
Between 2020 and the first quarter of 2022, India witnessed three Covid waves. However, the latest variant of Covid and its surge are milder and cannot be categorized as a full wave of epidemic.
"Currently, we are not experiencing a full wave or epidemic, but COVID-19 cases are rising across the country," Dr. Kumar added, "this variant is milder overall, though 1-2 cases are progressing to pneumonia."
Surprisingly, although the latest Covid variant is slightly more infectious than the previous ones, its fatality rate is seen to be low. Also, the loss of taste and smell, which was witnessed during the previous Covid waves, is missing in the new variant.
This variant seems slightly more infectious than previous ones, and entire households are being affected more often. However, the disease severity remains low and there's no major cause for alarm at the moment, Dr. Kumar said, while adding, "Symptoms are typical of viral infections - fever, cough, cold, and stuffy nose. Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting are more common this time. Notably, the loss of taste and smell, which was common in the first wave, is mostly absent in this variant."
Which Age Group Is Affected Most By The Latest Covid Variant?
Primarily individuals with existing illnesses are prone to the severity of the latest variant. Dr. Lalcheta said, "The affected age group is quite broad-from children to the elderly-but severe cases are primarily seen in those with existing health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or compromised immunity. Young adults and children are recovering quickly, often with basic medication and home care."
In the age group, very young to elderly individuals with existing health issues are required to be hospitalized if reported with the latest Covid variant.
"Most of the severe cases are among vulnerable groups, especially very young or elderly individuals (above 65 years) with existing health issues like diabetes, cancer, or respiratory problems. These patients are more likely to need hospitalization. Healthy young people without any underlying conditions are rarely affected seriously," Dr. Kumar said.
What Is The New Variant Of Covid?
The coronavirus variants have evolved over the years. The reason behind the new escalation of Covid cases is a new variant called NB.1.8.1, also referred to as Nimbus. The World Health Network has recognized Nimbus as the cause of the resurgence of Covid cases in several Asian countries, including India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.
Nimbus is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant JN.1, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated NB 1.8.1 as a "Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) owing to increasing global presence and potential implications for public health.
Will New Variant Of Covid Impact India Like The First, Second, Or Third Waves?
Despite the rapid resurgence of Nimbus, WHO's latest finding reveals that there are no reports on NB.1.8.1, which hints that the associated disease severity is higher as compared to other circulating variants. WHO's report said, "The available evidence on NB.1.8.1 does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages."
The doctors also believe the same. Dr. Kumar said, "We haven't seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases or an increase in severity. This is reassuring. For the past 3-4 weeks, cases have been reported from various parts of India, but the situation seems similar to or even milder than the third wave."
However, the new variant is being monitored closely in India.
"As of now, it doesn't appear to be heading in that direction. Most people have developed some level of immunity-either through vaccination or past infections-which is helping reduce the severity. While we are monitoring the situation closely, there is no indication of a major escalation similar to previous waves," Dr. Lalcheta said.
Will The Market Crash Due To The New Variant?
It's too early to make a definite statement, as there are two possible outcomes. Explaining in detail, Dr. Kumar said, if the situation turns severe like the second wave, it could impact not just the pharma sector but the overall market and economy. However, there may also just be minor fluctuations. Based on current trends, he added, "I don't think the present COVID situation is serious enough to cause major economic disruption."
The HCG Hospitals expert also does not see a major impact on the market. She said, "We don't expect a major impact this time. Businesses and healthcare systems are better prepared. As long as we act responsibly and stay alert, life can continue normally without large-scale disruptions."
Timeline Of Covid Waves & Market Reaction:
First Wave Of Covid-19: Timeline - January 2020 to February 2021. The first wave commenced on January 30, 2020, and increased unprecedently by December 2020, making India the second country to record 10 million confirmed cases, following the USA. Symptoms: Fever and cough were primary symptoms of the first wave.
First Wave Of Covid
March - 23 - 2020
March - 24 - 2020
December - 31 - 2020
(%) Gains/Losses From Mar 24, 2020 - Dec 2020
February - 26 - 2021
(%) Gains/Losses From Mar 24, 2020 - Feb 2021
Sensex (Closing)
25,981.24
26,674.03
47,751.33
44.14
49,099.99
84.07
Nifty (Closing)
7,610.25
7,801.05
13,981.75
44.21
14,529.15
86.25
Second Wave Of Covid-19: Timeline - March 2021 to June 2021. Gastrointestinal symptoms were common; however, as per several data, the second wave was more vicious and deadly despite its shorter duration.
Second Wave Of Covid
March - 01 - 2021
June 30, 2021
December - 31 - 2021
(%) Gains/Losses from Mar - June 2021
(%) Gains/Losses from Mar - Dec 2021
Sensex (Closing)
49,849.84
52,482.71
58,253.82
5.28
16.86
Nifty (Closing)
14,761.55
15,721.50
17,354.05
6.50
17.56
Third Wave Of Covid-19: Timeline - January 2022 to March 2022. Gastrointestinal symptoms were common in the third wave as well, but the death toll was lower compared to the second wave.
Third Wave Of Covid
January - 03 - 2022
March - 31 - 2022
December - 30 - 2022
(%) Gains/Losses From Jan - Mar 2022
(%) Gains/Losses From Jan - Dec 2022
Sensex (Closing)
59,183.22
58,568.51
60,840.74
-1.04
3.88
Nifty (Closing)
17,625.70
17,464.75
18,105.30
-0.91
3.67
Except for third wave, Sensex and Nifty have reacted positively during the timeframe of first and second wave with double-digit returns by the end of that year. Also, in the post-pandemic era, Sensex and Nifty have touched a record high of 85,978.25 and 26,277.35 on September 27, 2024. Despite global uncertainties due to tariff tensions, Sensex and Nifty are currently up by 208% and 220.51% from March 24, 2020, when the first nationwide lockdown was announced.
What To Expect In Coming Months?
"Viruses tend to spread more during the rainy season as they survive longer in the environment. So, we expect COVID-19 cases to decline once the monsoon ends," said Dr. Kumar.
The trend so far hints that the situation will be under control for the latest variant.
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Dr. Lalcheta said, "We may continue to see scattered cases or small clusters, especially in areas with frequent travel or large public gatherings. But unless there is a new, highly infectious variant, we do not expect a dramatic rise. The trend so far suggests a manageable situation with proper precautions."
If the current trends continue, Dr. Lalcheta said, "we expect the situation to settle in the next 3-4 weeks."
What Precautions Can Citizens Follow?
Dr. Kumar advises that it's important to continue following basic precautions - wear a mask in public or crowded places, isolate yourself if you have symptoms, and consult a doctor if you notice your oxygen levels dropping.
People should still be careful-wear masks in crowded places, maintain hand hygiene, and avoid self-medication if symptoms appear. Adding, Dr. Lalcheta advised high-risk individuals to consult their doctors about booster doses or flu shots.
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