As Delhi Battles 3rd Wave Of COVID, Kejriwal Suggests Shutting Down Of Markets Violating Norms

As Delhi continues to battle an ¡°unprecedented¡± situation due to the third wave of COVID-19 outbreak, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that the government may implement a shutdown in markets where norms are not being followed.

Since cases are rising in Delhi, we are sending a general proposal to Central Govt, that if required, Delhi Govt can implement shutting down those markets for few days, where norms are not being followed & they are becoming a local #COVID19 hotspot: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/uCicqhiXGE

¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2020

"Since cases are rising in Delhi, we are sending a general proposal to the Central government, that if required, the Delhi government can implement shutting down those markets for few days, where norms are not being followed and they are becoming a local COVID 19 hotspots," Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

AFP

He also thanked the Central government for increasing the number of ICU beds in the national capital.

"I am thankful to Central government for helping Delhi people by increasing 750 ICU beds immediately. All governments and agencies have doubled their efforts to control COVID-19 but it can't be done till people take precautions," he said.

I am thankful to Central govt for helping Delhi people by increasing 750 ICU beds immediately. All govts & agencies have doubled their efforts to control #COVID19 but it can't be done till people take precautions. I appeal all to wear masks & follow social distancing: Delhi CM https://t.co/ni0pWiqobd pic.twitter.com/N765hATTDe

¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2020

This comes a day after state Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that Delhi will not be put under another lockdown in the wake of the third wave of COVID-19 since it has already peaked out.

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¡°There will be no reimposition of lockdown in Delhi. I don¡¯t think it will be an effective step now, wearing of masks by everyone will be more beneficial,¡± Jain had said on Monday.

However, in a meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah, Niti Aayog¡¯s Dr VK Paul described the Delhi situation as ¡°unprecedented¡± and added that ¡°it is likely to become worse¡±.

According to the Niti Aayog, in the coming weeks, Covid-19 cases will rise to 500 cases per million population from around 361 currently due to the violation of Covid norms during the festive season.

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Keeping this in mind, the Centre has suggested urgently increasing bed capacity in Delhi, particularly ICU beds to around 6,431, to handle the rise to 500 cases per million. Currently, Delhi has 3,491 ICU beds of which 88% are occupied.

Though the national capital has seen a drop in the number of new infections in the past couple of days, that is largely due to the low number of tests conducted on the weekends and Diwali holidays.

AP

Delhi has witnessed a spurt in novel coronavirus cases since October 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on Wednesday.

In view of the possible spike in the coming weeks, private hospitals have been asked to reserve 80% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID patients.