New Delhi, May 19 -- Indian health authorities have stepped up covid-19 surveillance amid a fresh surge in cases in Hong Kong and Singapore, according to a top government scientist actively involved with India's covid monitoring efforts.

The surge has raised concerns about potential clusters back home, where active covid-19 cases hit 257 as of 19 May, the highest count in the past year, according to the health ministry's dashboard.

"There have been many spikes earlier as well. One has to keep a watch, no panic required," the scientist said, requesting anonymity.

Government agencies, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Biotechnology, and the National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune), are closely mo...