Gangtok: Sikkim has reported four new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, joining a growing wave of infections sweeping across India. The latest figures, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), underscore a broader surge in the Northeast, which has collectively seen 12 new cases, including six in Assam and two in Mizoram.
This uptick has prompted Sikkim’s health authorities to ramp up their efforts to contain the virus’s spread. With India’s active case count now at 4,026, driven by spikes in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, the Sikkim government is drawing on its past experiences to safeguard its relatively small population of 6.8 lakh through intensified testing, robust vaccination drives, and renewed public health measures.
The nation’s COVID-19 landscape has shifted notably in recent days, with active cases crossing the 4,000 mark on June 3, 2025, a significant jump from 3,395 just two days prior. The MoHFW’s latest bulletin recorded 65 new cases and five fatalities nationwide in the last 24 hours. Kerala continues to lead with 1,416 new infections, followed by Maharashtra with 494, and Gujarat with 397. While Sikkim’s four new cases may seem numerically small in comparison, they serve as a crucial signal for vigilance in the Himalayan state, which has historically faced considerable challenges during previous waves. In October 2020, Sikkim recorded a total of 31,868 cases, with 195 active cases, 30,960 recoveries, and 394 deaths, highlighting its susceptibility to rapid surges.
In response to the escalating situation, Kusum Dahal, a health education official with the Sikkim Health Department, has issued a public advisory, urging residents to return to strict adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour. In a video message widely circulated across social media platforms, Dahal stated, “Today, after a long time, we have again come to you with very important information from the Ministry of Health. You have seen from the perspective of social media that the number of Covid-19 cases in India is increasing. And keeping this in mind, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a very important message to us today.”
Dahal reiterated the importance of adopting simple yet effective preventive measures, such as wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, practising proper cough etiquette by covering the mouth with a bent elbow, and frequent handwashing with soap and water. She specifically advised elderly individuals, young children, and pregnant women to avoid crowded spaces and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties. “If you need to go out, wear a mask,” she emphasised. “And if you feel sick, go to the nearest health center.” These recommendations are in line with the Union Health Ministry’s ongoing awareness campaigns, which include the dissemination of posters on social distancing and informative videos from AIIMS on hygiene practices.
To stay ahead of the virus, Sikkim’s health department has reactivated its comprehensive testing infrastructure. The STNM Hospital in Gangtok remains the central hub for diagnostics and treatment, supplemented by the deployment of mobile testing units to remote areas like Mangan and Geyzing, ensuring accessibility for rural communities. In 2020, Sikkim conducted over 5,377 sample tests by mid-June, a substantial effort for its size, and officials are likely scaling up testing capacities to meet the current demands. The MoHFW’s COVID-19 dashboard, updated as of June 3, 2025, provides district-wise test positivity rates, which Sikkim is actively utilising to identify potential hotspots.
Contact tracing forms another critical pillar of the state’s response strategy. The Aarogya Setu app, initially launched in April 2020, continues to play a vital role, leveraging Bluetooth and GPS technology to alert users of potential exposure risks. Pempa Bhutia, Sikkim’s Health Secretary, remarked, “Aarogya Setu is our eyes on the ground. It helps us trace contacts quickly and stop the virus from spreading.” The app has witnessed strong adoption in urban centres like Gangtok and Namchi, though ensuring compliance in remote villages continues to pose challenges.
Sikkim’s vaccination campaign is serving as a crucial line of defence against the current wave. India’s nationwide immunisation programme, which commenced in January 2021, has administered over 1.7 billion doses of Covaxin and Covishield, with updated vaccines targeting emerging variants like JN.1. Sikkim has prioritised the vaccination of children aged 12-14 and 15-18, as well as precaution doses for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and individuals over 60 with comorbidities, adhering to MoHFW guidelines from 2021 and 2022. In light of the recent surge, the state is intensifying its focus on administering booster shots to address waning immunity, a factor that has been linked to increasing global case counts.
Sikkim is reinforcing its “back to basics” approach, reintroducing measures that proved effective during the 2020 pandemic. The state has recirculated posters in English, Hindi, Nepali, and Bhutia, urging residents to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and avoid crowded markets. Videos from 2020, produced in collaboration with partners like NIMHANS, are being widely shared once again to promote proper handwashing and cough etiquette. A health official in Gangtok emphasised, “These simple steps save lives. We’re reminding everyone to follow them.”
The mental health of residents is also being prioritised, with MoHFW resources, including videos on managing stress and stigma, being widely disseminated. Helplines, originally established for flood response, such as 03592-202892 and 112, are now also handling COVID-related queries. Sikkim’s mountainous terrain presents inherent challenges to healthcare delivery, especially in remote areas. The prevalence of asymptomatic cases, as observed in 2020, further complicates detection efforts, and the state’s limited number of ICU beds could face significant strain if cases escalate dramatically.
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