Updated: November 18, 2020 7:52:39 pm
Authorities said planning for the house-to-house survey in Delhi was already in an advanced stage and the survey is expected to start over the weekend and be completed on November 25. (File photo)
In the wake of the increase in Covid cases in Delhi and the daily death toll reaching nearly 100, the Center announced on Wednesday a series of measures it is taking to contain the spread of the virus.
These include increasing the testing capacity in the national capital to 60,000 RT-PCR tests per day by the end of November, completing the house-to-house survey by November 25, doubling ICU beds at DRDO facilities near the airport. from Delhi to 500 in the next four days and the provision of 800 beds through the Indian railways, among others.
The steps are being taken as directed by the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah following his meeting with key stakeholders on the issue on Sunday. The Home Office (MHA) has already assembled 10 teams of officials and doctors who are inspecting private hospitals in Delhi on the containment and treatment of Covid.
Mass rush for Chhath Puja at New Delhi train station
“The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the Delhi NCT government are working together to upgrade the RT-PCR testing capacity to 60,000 tests (daily) by the end of November. The testing capacity has already been improved by 10,000 tests / day on November 17, “the MHA said in a statement.
To achieve this, the ICMR will help increase the capacity of the existing Delhi laboratories by 2,000 tests by deploying more manpower, increasing the number of shifts, and placing more equipment. It will also involve private sector labs, even as five RT-PCR labs, including AIIMS, Delhi, have already started 24-hour operation, an MHA official said.
Civil Defense personnel take pictures of people not wearing a mask before issuing a challan in New Delhi
“To bring testing closer to Delhi residents, ICMR will assist the Delhi NCT government to implement 10 mobile COVID testing labs with a total capacity of 20,000 tests on a staggered basis starting next week,” the MHA said.
Officials said planning for the house-to-house survey in Delhi was already in an advanced stage and the survey is expected to start over the weekend and be completed on November 25. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ”said the MHA.
With the increased flow of patients, the ministry is also working with DRDO to increase ICU beds at its Covid facility near the national airport. “DRDO will add 250 ICU beds to its existing 250 ICU beds and will also create 35 BIPAP beds in the next 3-4 days at its COVID hospital near Delhi airport,” said MHA.
Doctors Check Covid-19 Patients at CWG Covid Care Center in New Delhi
Apart from this, Indian railways are making 800-bed train cars available at Shakur Basti railway station. As previously announced by the MHA, most of this capacity enhancement will be accompanied by an increase in health professionals from the Central Police Armed Forces (CAPF).
“45 CAPF doctors and 160 paramedics have already arrived in Delhi for deployment at DRDO hospital near Delhi airport and at the COVID care center in Chattarpur. The remaining doctors and physicians will arrive in Delhi in the next few days, ”the MHA said.
To make more fans available, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has shipped 250 fans from Bengaluru which are expected to arrive in Delhi over the weekend, authorities said. “MoHFW has delivered 35 BIPAP machines to DRDO COVID facilities near Delhi airport. MoHFW will provide up to 25 BIPAP machines for the Delhi government, ”said MHA.
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