Delhi Masks Up Again As COVID Cases Spike To Seven Month High, New Omicron Sub-Variant Suspected
Face masks that became an integral part of our lives since early 2020 are unlikely to go away anytime soon as COVID-19 refuses to subside even after more than two and a half years.
On Thursday Delhi went back to a mask mandate as the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital is witnessing another spike in infections.
Daily COVID-19 cases at seven month high
In the past 24 hours on Thursday, reported 2,726 fresh cases, the highest in nearly seven months.
6 COVID-19-related fatalities were also reported in the national capital while the positivity rate stood at 14.38 per cent.
The recent spike has also pushed Delhi's active caseload to 8,840, the highest in six months. Earlier on February 6, the number of active coronavirus patients stood at 8,869.
Mask mandate back in Delhi
With COVID cases and the positivity rate rising in Delhi, the district officials have started forming teams to strictly enforce the mask mandate and issue a fine of Rs 500 to violators.
The district magistrates have been instructed to ensure that the laxity that had set in due to reduction in cases is corrected and wearing masks in public places is strictly enforced, a senior Revenue department officer said.
Strict enforcement of mask mandate
"The DDMA after examining all the relevant facts related to the issue of penal provisions for not adhering to covid protocol of wearing of mask at public places, decided that, in relation to the clause 3(h)(c) whereby not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places has been made an offence, a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places in Delhi will be imposed," the order said.
The fine will not be applicable to persons travelling together in private four-wheelers, it said.
The DDMA had raised the fine amount to Rs 2,000 in November 2021, in view of a surge in cases.
In February 2022, the fine was slashed to Rs 500 and was lifted after a decision by the DDMA in its meeting on March 31.
The fine of Rs 500 was reimposed with rising cases, from April 22.
It was still in place, however, enforcement was slackened with the situation becoming normal with less virulent Omicron variant of the virus and resumption of normal activities with lifting of curbs.
Many don't believe in safety guidelines?
A recent survey had found that only 11 per cent Delhiites believed COVID-19 compliance was effective and seven per cent of people said social distancing was being followed in their area.
Local social network 'LocalCircles' surveyed in the national capital with 6,291 respondents for three categories -- mask compliance, type of masks used and social distancing.
New Omicron sub variant spreading in Delhi?
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the government was keeping a close watch on the situation and would take all the steps needed.
He, however, said that despite the rise in COVID cases there was no cause for panic as most new infections were mild.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Centre's Covid Task Force, Dr NK Arora, told NDTV,?that the strains of Omicron circulating in Delhi currently are more infectious than the base strain that had been detected earlier in January this year.?
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