Only 50 people will be allowed at weddings in Delhi, below a limit of 200, according to an order from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) which has accepted the first of two suggestions from the Delhi Prime Minister’s government, Arvind Kejriwal, to reset some brakes in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Delhi has been in the grip of a third wave of Covid-19 infections, and the deadliest to date, with the latest data showing that 131 more people died from the disease, the most deaths in a period of 24. hours.
According to the Delhi government health bulletin, there were 7,486 new infections, bringing the total number of cases to more than 500,000. The number of cases has already depleted Delhi hospitals, and the availability of ventilation beds and ICUs is at risk of being overwhelmed.
The stricter limit for weddings follows a request sent by Kejriwal on Tuesday to Union government authorities, from whom he has also requested permission to block markets if they appear to be becoming hot spots of infection. The request has been sent to the Union Ministry of the Interior through Delhi’s Deputy Governor (LG) Anil Baijal. Officials familiar with the process said they have yet to receive a response from central authorities.
Read also | Coronavirus in Delhi: Feluda test kit is ready to hit the market today
“In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the capacity of the room will be allowed, with a ceiling of 50 people … In open spaces, keeping the size of the floor / space in view, subject to a ceiling of 50 people,” he said. the order, a copy of which HT has seen.
Kejriwal said the move should not be seen as a blockade as such.
“Over the next few days, we will observe the situation on the ground, especially the violation of Covid-19 regulations, and assess whether any particular market may become a hot spot. It is not that we are closing markets. Saving the economy is as important to us as fighting Covid-19. We will try all means. We will not close any markets unless it is extremely necessary, ”he said.
The situation has been described as alarming by officials and experts. “The situation is as bad as it was a week ago; almost every hour I get a call to make a bed. Although more beds have been added, there is still a shortage and I don’t see any signs of the situation improving anytime soon. Probably 10 to 12 days later, we can see a decrease in the number, but not now, ”said Dr. Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant for respiratory medicine and critical care at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
The CM has called an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation.
It was on October 31 when Delhi, in accordance with the recommendations of the Union government, raised the maximum limit of wedding guests to 200. Just over a week later, the city added 8,593 cases, the highest it has recorded. until now.
As new cases emerged, the capital’s empty hospital beds, particularly intensive care units (ICUs) and ventilation beds, dwindled. On November 15, the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with senior officials from both administrations and decided to increase the infrastructure and double the testing rate.
Also read: Fears of the Covid-19 pandemic put an end to the rush on trains, buses, many prefer to drive home to Chhath
According to officials familiar with the preparations, orders are likely to be issued to establish a roadmap for how testing will be increased from the current 60,000 odd to roughly 100,000-120,000. A key challenge would be to increase the proportion of RT-PCR tests that require laboratories.
“Currently, the city performs some 57,000 tests a day, of which almost 20,000 are carried out using the RT-PCR method. Delhi has a capacity of 27,000 tests. This existing capacity will be used, ”Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul said Tuesday. “In addition, the laboratories of the ICMR and the Ministry of Health will be used to add 10,000 tests. Scientific institutions in the city will add another 1,000, ”added Paul.
On Wednesday, the Delhi government issued new orders to hospitals under its control to increase the number of ICU beds. Kejriwal said this will add around 663 beds in these institutions and, together with the 750 committed by the Union government, will increase the number of such beds in the capital by around 1,400.
Click here for full coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic
“This will be achieved the day after tomorrow. [Delhi] The Minister of Health has met with the authorities of other hospitals. We will increase 663 ICU beds in the coming days in Delhi government hospitals including GTB Nagar hospital. The center has secured 750 additional beds for us at DRDO facilities. I am grateful to them. Then around 1,400 beds will be ready, ”he said while visiting GTB Hospital.
He reiterated his assurance that while there is an increase in cases, there are enough hospital beds available. But, he added, “there is a shortage of ICU beds and we are investigating it.”
According to figures tracked by the government and updated daily, of the 3,600 ICU beds and ventilators, fewer than 450 remain available.
.
