The Delhi government held an emergency meeting to review the coronavirus situation in the national capital as Delhi’s single-day COVID-19 cases rose to 300 on Wednesday for the first time since August 31 last year. The positivity rate climbed to 13.89 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.
In view of the sudden spike in coronavirus cases, the Delhi Chief Minister ordered Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj to call an emergency review meeting. Special Secretary, Health Department, Director General Health Services, Nodal Officer for Oxygen and Testing and Medical Directors of several hospitals including LNJP attended the meeting.
After the meeting, Delhi Health Minister addressed a press conference and said that there is no need to panic. He urged people to follow Covid protocols and wear masks, especially when visiting hospitals. As cases continue to rise in the national capital, there have been speculations that Covid restrictions may return to curb the spread.
“When cases increase in Maharashtra, Delhi also begins to witness a rise in infections 2-3 weeks later. This has been the pattern. We held an emergency review meeting today where all experts were present. The positivity rate is above 10% but the number of tests is less so there is no need to panic. People with symptoms should wear masks. People visiting hospitals should wear mask.”
“There is a review tomorrow at 12 pm where the Department of Health will present a presentation to the Delhi CM. We will also share details of mock drill results and then he will share his feedback with the ministry,” Saurabh Bhardwaj added.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be briefed about today’s meeting on Thursday and decision on restrictions will be taken based on the instructions from the CM, Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said.
Ahead of the meet, Bhardwaj had said that the emergency meeting has been called at 12 noon on the instructions of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, keeping in view the increase in Covid cases in Delhi. “As of now, there is no discussion on any restrictions,” he had added.
300 Covid cases in Delhi
Delhi’s COVID-19 cases climbed to 300 on Wednesday for the first time since August 31 last year, while the positivity rate climbed to 13.89 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. Two more Covid-related deaths were also reported, it said. Delhi has reported 377 cases on August 31 along with two fatalities while the positivity rate was 2.58 per cent.
With the fresh cases, Delhi’s COVID-19 tally has increased to 20,09,361, while the death count due to the viral infection stands at 26,526. The data also showed that 2,160 Covid tests were conducted on Tuesday.
India sees 40% rise in covid cases
Meanwhile, India logged 3,016 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, over 40% rise in daily tally, according to the Union health ministry data updated Thursday. It is the highest daily Covid cases recorded in nearly six months, with active caseload rising to 13,509. A total of 3,375 cases were recorded on October 2 last year.
India’s Covid-related death roll has increased to 5,30,862 with 14 more fatalities – three reported by Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one reported by Himachal Pradesh in a span of 24 hours and eight reconciled by Kerala.
With infection tally now at 4,47,12,692, the active caseload now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total cases, while the recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,68,321, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. Around 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.
