Delhi is under a curfew over the weekend, starting at 10pm on Friday and lasting until 5am on Monday (File)
New Delhi:
There will be no Covid lockdown in Delhi if everyone follows the rules – wearing masks in public and maintaining social distancing – Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday, as the national capital was in the middle of a lockdown. trying to prevent a frightening increase in new cases over the past few days.
“There’s no need to panic … take responsibility. We don’t want to go into lockdown right now… we want to keep the curbs as limited as possible, so the average person isn’t affected. Tomorrow there will be a DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) meeting, and we will review the situation again,” he said.
Today’s message is a repeat of what Mr. Kejriwal said last week, when he said Deadly cases are increasing rapidly in the city but there is no need to panic.
The minister also urged people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Mr. Kejriwal also announced that he was recovering from a Covid infection picked up while campaigning for next month’s Uttarakhand elections. “I will return to serve you after recovering from Corona,” he said, adding that he had been self-isolating at home after having a fever for two days.
Mr Kejriwal’s request comes as Delhi is expected to report around 22,000 Covid cases today.
The city reported yesterday as 20,181 – an increase of 16%. Daily new cases are also moving closer to the one-day record of 26,169 set on April 23, during the peak of the second wave.
The new wave of infections was driven in part by the Omicron variant, which is more infectious than the Delta strain. It leads to milder symptoms, but doctors have warned against taking it lightly.
Delhi has reported 513 Omicron Covid cases so far (second only to Maharashtra).
Experts say the milder symptoms produced could be offset by the number of cases that will be reported, which could put too much pressure on the healthcare infrastructure.
Outside, More than 300 doctors and medical professionals have tested positive in Delhi in this wave.
On Saturday, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the Delhi government has decided increase the number of existing hospital beds (normal and ICU) watch out for more cases.
He said, 5,650 normal beds and 2,075 ICU beds at 14 hospitals, as well as 2,800 beds in Covid centers, will be added to the already existing number, noting that there are about 13,300 beds in total.
“Delhi government is ready to deal with the most serious situation. Delhi’s health system is fully prepared to contain this wave and provide timely treatment to all the people of the state,” he said. speak.
As part of efforts to prevent a third wave in the city, the Delhi government has ordered Weekend curfew starts at 10pm on Friday and will be in effect until 5 a.m. tomorrow.
During this time, only those involved in essential services and those facing an emergency will be able to leave their homes. Visitors must present a government-issued electronic card or have a valid identification card.
India this morning reported nearly 1.6 thousand new cases in the last 24 hours.
With input from PTI
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