Delhi has reported more than 3.64 lakh of Covid cases since the outbreak began in December last year (Archive)
New Delhi:
Delhi reported 4,853 new coronavirus cases and 44 virus-related deaths in the past 24 hours, data showed Tuesday night. The data also showed that 2,722 people had been discharged after treatment in the past 24 hours. The total number of registered COVID-19 cases in the city has exceeded 3.64 lakh, of which active cases are 27,873, deaths are 6,356 and recoveries are 3.3 lakh.
This is the largest jump in cases in a single day in the national capital and the fourth time in the last five days that the 4,000 mark has been exceeded. It is also the eighth time in the past 10 days that more than 3,000 new cases have been recorded in 24 hours, a worrying sign, especially as COVID-19 levels have shown a drastic drop nationwide.
Data from the Union Ministry of Health showed this morning that only 36,370 new cases of coronavirus had been registered, a sharp drop from the more than 70,000 cases registered just four weeks earlier.
The Health Ministry has expressed concern about the increase in Delhi cases and is expected to hold a meeting with senior officials on Thursday to discuss prevention and repression measures.
“What is concerning is the cumulative positivity rate of 8.06 percent. New cases and the positivity rate need to be considered together. When you look at these two together, questions arise. How many tests are being done? How many? are they RT-PCR and how many are antigens? Those that are symptomatic antigen negative … are they all retested by RT-PCR? If not, are they spreading the infection? “Asked Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Health of the Union.
The last time Delhi crossed the 4,000 mark was about a month ago, on September 19. Three days earlier, the city reported its highest daily jump, 4,473 cases, a mark that has now been surpassed.
The unwanted record spike comes amid growing concern over a new wave of infections that coincides with an extended holiday season and the onset of winter. Medical experts have suggested that the COVID-19 virus could become even more deadly as the temperature drops.
The increase in Covid cases has also been related to the worsening of pollution in the national capital, which is preparing for its annual combat with “severe” and “dangerous” air quality levels, with emissions from vehicles, road dust. and buildings and pollutants from the burning of agricultural waste and stubble from neighboring Haryana and Punjab are the main culprits.
Last week, Delhi’s Chief Deputy Minister Manish Sisodia, while calling on people not to set off firecrackers or burn effigies of Ravana during Dussehra (which was on Sunday), identified the contamination and COVID-19 as old”.rakshas“(evils) of today”. Appeal fell somewhat flat, with AQI levels the following day plummeting to “severe” in parts of the national capital.
The Delhi government has launched a series of campaigns to monitor the national capital’s air quality, which has deteriorated dramatically since last month.
On Monday, the central government told the Supreme Court that it would create a permanent body through legislation to deal with the annual air pollution problem in Delhi and the surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and others, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have urged people to be cautious when holding festivals at this time, reminding them of the importance to stay home as much as possible and wear your face. masks and maintain social distance when it is necessary to leave the house.
India has reported 79.4 lakh of cases since the pandemic began in December last year, of which 6.25 lakh are active cases and 1.19 lakh are virus-related deaths.
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