Delhi recorded nearly twice as many new cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Tuesday, according to the bulletin issued by the health department. Of the 3,797 cases on Monday, Delhi recorded 6,396 infections on Tuesday, bringing the infection count in the national capital to 495,598. While 99 more deaths brought the figure to 7,812, the number of active Covid-19 cases is 42,004, authorities said.
The health department bulletin showed that these cases came out of 49,031 tests conducted the day before, while the positivity rate stood at 13.04 percent amid the holiday season and increased pollution in the city. The highest single-day peak to date with 8,593 cases was recorded on November 11, when 85 deaths were also reported. Delhi witnessed a sudden increase in coronavirus disease cases since October 28, when the daily increase surpassed the 5,000 mark for the first time.
What does the daily increase in cases say?
The increase in day-to-day cases suggests that the city is facing a third wave of infection and the Delhi government has also accepted the same. Compared to the last two waves, Delhi saw almost twice as many cases in the third. In the first 15 days of October, the average number of cases reported daily in Delhi was 2,754. Between October 15 and October 31, this average shot up to 4,104. In the first 12 days of November, this average was 6,693. Over the past three days, there have been an average of around 3,100 new cases per day, but the number of tests has also dropped from around 58,000 per day to around 25,000 per day due to Diwali, Bhai Dooj and the weekend. .
Read more | Random rapid tests for travelers going to Noida from Delhi
What about the positivity rate?
The positivity rate in Delhi has been consistently above 11 percent for the past two weeks, crossing 15 percent on some days. This had dropped to 6 percent in September.
Why is Delhi witnessing an increase in cases?
Experts were already expecting this increase, taking into account the festival season. Even the Ministry of Health has indicated that the rebound could be due to the festive season, the opening of essential services and allowing the movement of people.
What has the Delhi government done?
Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent a proposal to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to withdraw the relaxation granted for wedding gatherings and restrict the number of guests to 50, from the 200 allowed since November 1. The government has also written to the Center to allow blockages in markets that may emerge as hot spots. Kejriwal said the government has asked the Center for permission to modify the guidelines to close markets if necessary.
Read more | Covid-19: Delhi seeks brakes at weddings and markets
“We witnessed massive crowds at some of the popular markets in Delhi before Diwali. No social distancing was followed and because of this, the number of Covid cases has increased significantly. In the latest order approved by the Center, it was noted that the state government cannot impose any blockade without permission. We have asked them to allow us to close the markets if necessary, ”Kejriwal said.
The decision has also been made to increase house-to-house surveillance of active cases in containment zones and other vulnerable sources in the national capital and between 7,000 and 8,000 teams will be hired for this exercise, an increase from the 3,000 existing teams that are currently involved. NITI Aayog member VK Paul, who leads the Covid-19 national task force, said ICU bed capacity will increase from 3,523 to more than 6,000 in the coming days in Delhi hospitals.
Meanwhile, the North MCD said it has maintained 20 ICU beds for Covid-19 patients at its Hindu Rao Hospital, the largest municipal hospital in the national capital.
.
