Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday that the recent surge in coronavirus cases in Delhi is not part of a second wave of the virus, as the infection never left the national capital.
“It cannot be said that it is a second wave. We could have called it a second wave if there were no positive cases for a month or two and then the cases had started showing up again. The virus is still in Delhi, ”he said.
The national capital recorded 2,509 new cases, the highest peak in a day in nearly two months, on Wednesday. Up to 1,79,569 people have been infected in the city, while 19 recent deaths brought the toll to 4,481 on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Jain said people “shouldn’t worry about the numbers.” The government was increasing testing for Covid-19, he added. “We are increasing (the number of) tests. We are emphasizing testing and aggressively working on it. Yesterday the number was around 30,000 and today the number of tests will be around 35,000 ”, he said.
Delhi’s fatality rate was 0.75 percent on Wednesday, the minister said, adding that it was a “good sign.”
“In general, it is 2.5 percent. Yesterday, it was less than one percent, which is a good sign. At one point, it was 3.5 percent, ”said the minister.
When asked about the city’s preparation for the resumption of Delhi metro services, he said the government was forming protocols to follow.
“Protocols are being formulated. A drill is also being done to ensure that social distancing is maintained, that people wear a mask and wash their hands, that they follow appropriate Covid-19 behavior, “he said.
The Delhi Metro will resume services in three stages between September 7-12, according to the Delhi Metro Railways Corporation. The trains will run from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., he said.
(with PTI inputs)
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