Delhi Coronavirus: Delhi has seen an increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.
New Delhi:
Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a hefty fine of 2,000 rupees, compared to 500 rupees today, for those caught without masks, to help control the rise of the coronavirus that is in its third week. The Chief Minister also appealed to all political parties and social organizations to distribute masks in public places in Delhi.
The government’s hard line came after days of pleading. As the virus swept through a city weakened by the slide of mercury and an envelope of smoke, Kejriwal had repeatedly asked people with folded hands to wear masks and maintain safety regulations.
But the crazy fever of the holiday season had prevailed, pushing the daily count of new cases and deaths to record highs every week since early November.
In recent weeks, to deal with the increase that had once crossed the 8,000 mark, the Center sent paramedical personnel and increased the number of beds in hospitals.
At this afternoon’s press conference, Kejriwal said that arrangements are being made for more than 1,400 ICU beds, “including 663 in Delhi government hospitals and 750 in facilities run by the Center.”
The number of beds outside the ICU for Covid patients in private hospitals will increase from 50% to 60%. The decision to reserve 80% of ICU beds in private hospitals for COVID-19 patients was implemented as of today, he added.
On Wednesday night, data from the Health Ministry showed that during the previous 24 hours, the national capital had registered 7,486 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the infection count in the city to more than 5 lakh. The data also showed that the number of deaths recorded was 131, the highest single-day count in Delhi to date, bringing the death toll to 7,943.
Kejriwal, who previously ruled out a new phase of lockdown, has decided to shut down markets that prove to be coronavirus hot spots.
He has also ruled out regular bathing in the capital’s water bodies during Chhat puja, saying that “he cannot allow people to bathe together, one infected person can infect the water, everyone.
He has also ruled out public celebrations, including the usual dip in the capital’s lakes and rivers during Chhat puja. “You cannot allow people to bathe together, one infected person can infect the water, everyone,” he said.
Earlier today, the Chief Minister held an all-party meeting calling for a united effort to fight the pandemic. “This is not the time for politics, there is a lifetime for it. We must put politics and accusations aside for a few days. This is the time to serve the people,” he said.
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