
CHENNAI: As India sees a concerning rise in COVID-19 cases, with active cases crossing 7,000 according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Justdial have recorded a significant spike in COVID-related queries across the country.
Justdial data alone highlights a marked shift in public behaviour, with citizens actively searching for testing facilities, insurance options, and vaccination centres in response to growing health concerns. Nationwide trends show a dramatic 153% increase in COVID-related searches in May 2025 compared to April. This surge reflects heightened public awareness and a proactive approach to the virus’s resurgence.
Searches for government testing centres have risen eightfold, matching the spike in interest for private centres. Insurance-related queries are up 77% nationwide, underscoring concern over medical expenses. Searches for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) vaccination centres have tripled, indicating renewed interest in preventive care.
The data suggests that people are not only seeking information but actively preparing for potential health challenges by exploring their options for testing, treatment, and financial protection.
Regional Trends:
Delhi has emerged as the epicentre of this activity, with a 140% surge in overall COVID-related searches. Government testing centre queries jumped 16 times compared to April, private centre searches rose tenfold, and insurance-related searches increased by 30%.
Kerala shows the sharpest rise overall, with COVID-related searches tripling. The state reported an 84% spike in insurance-related searches—the highest nationally—and an 18-fold jump in private testing centre queries.
Mumbai saw a 94% overall increase, with a notable 26% rise in insurance-related queries.
Tamil Nadu recorded a 72% overall search increase, with insurance searches up 30% and private testing centre queries rising fivefold.
These regional patterns reveal how different parts of India are tailoring their responses based on local risk perception and prior experience with health crises.
Overall, the surge in COVID-related search activity paints a clear picture of a population responding with vigilance and preparedness. As cases rise, these proactive search behaviours may prove vital in helping manage the spread and impact of the virus across the country.