Delhi Is Dealing With COVID Spurt With More ICU Beds, Increased Testing, Fine For No Masks

These are testing times for Delhi as the national capital is seeing yet another surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths.

In the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded yet another day of more than 7,500 new infections, taking the total passed 5.1 lakh.

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During the same time, 98 fatalities were recorded in Delhi taking the death toll to 8,041.

These are testing times for Delhi as the national capital is seeing yet another surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. In the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded yet another day of more than 7,500 new infections, taking the total passed 5.1 lakhs.

?Delhi Health Bulletin - 19th November 2020?#DelhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/ypoGySYFds

¡ª CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) November 19, 2020

The toll increased 9 per cent , accounting for 21 per cent of all fatalities last week in the country.

The number of new cases being recorded in Delhi is likely to remain the same or even increase further in the coming days before it can be brought down.

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The positivity rate stood at 12.09 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution in the city.

Post-Diwali celebrations, Delhi is witnessing the highest positivity rates in the country.

However, according to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, there is a gradual reduction in the number of new COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate.

"The positivity rate was 15.26 per cent on November 7. It is less than 11 per cent now. The maximum number of cases (8,593) were reported on November 10," Jain said.

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"The positivity rate has come down and the number of cases is also reducing gradually. It is a clear indicator that the spread of the virus is decreasing in Delhi," he told reporters.

The average death rate across the country is 1.48 per cent, and in Delhi, it is 1.57 per cent, Jain said, adding that it was around 3.50 per cent in June.

Several measures taken to curb spread

The AAP government announced sweeping measures, including a steep Rs 2,000 fine for not wearing masks, reservation of 80 per cent ICU beds in private hospitals, doubling testing centres in every district and postponement of non-critical surgeries at health facilities.

Private hospitals have been directed to increase the percentage of non-ICU COVID-19 beds from 50 per cent to 60 per cent.

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Jain said 2,644 normal beds and 260 ICU beds "extra" would be made available for COVID-19 patients in private hospitals after the government issued directions in this regard.

The minister said that government rates would apply for the normal, non-ICU beds reserved in private hospitals by the Delhi government for COVID-19 patients.

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The government also said it will increase the number of RT-PCR test to 27,000 a day in the national capital and MBBS students and interns will be engaged to tackle the COVID-19 situation.

There is no harm in wearing a face mask inside a car, the minister said, appealing to the people of the city to ensure that they don't step outside without wearing one.