"More Cases As Testing Doubled": Arvind Kejriwal On Covid Spurt In Delhi

The Covid-19 situation in Delhi is under control, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today, attributing the rise in the number of cases to increase in the number of tests. The chief minister's assurance came as the national capital has been witnessing a rise in virus cases over the last few days.

"The numbers of Covid Cases are rising because more and more tests are being done every day. The more we test the more we find out about cases. In a way, we have launched a counter-attack on Coronavirus," he said. The AAP government has doubled testing in the city, he added.

Mr Kejriwal also said that the fatality rate (CFR) in Delhi is around 0.5 per cent, which was much lower than the national average. He said that his government has taken several steps to reduce Covid-related deaths in the national capital.

Delhi declares war on Corona.

We have doubled testing, started testing at markets, bus stands, Mohalla Clinics etc. Test, test, test. Isolate infected people and provide them good treatment.

I have told officers not to worry if the numbers increase due to multifold testing. pic.twitter.com/0F5rabHAag

- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 5, 2020

"13 people have died yesterday. Even though that is a small number, it should not happen. Not a single person should die. In June the deaths were more than 100. Today it is down to 13. From August, if you compare the national average fatality rate of 1.7%, the Delhi figures better at 1%. So, only 1 in evey 100 people die," he said while addressing an online media briefing.

The minister said that 70 per cent beds for Covid patients in Delhi hospitals are still vacant and only 30 per cent are occupied.

"Out of 5,000 beds, 1,600-1,700 beds are occupied by those who belong to other states," he said.

After a brief drop, Delhi has seen a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases over the last few days. The national capital on Friday reported 2,914 fresh infections, its highest one-day spike in 69 days.

This is the fourth successive day in September when over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in a day. Also, over 36,000 tests were conducted on Friday.

This morning, India recorded its biggest single-day spike of 86,432 cases, taking the country's Covid tally past the 40-lakh mark. The total number of cases now stand at 40,23,179, which is about 70,000 cases behind Brazil, the world's second worst affected nation after the United States.

India is now the third country after the US and Brazil to record 40 lakh cases. The country's caseload has gone from 30 lakh to 40 lakh in just 13 days, faster than the United States and Brazil.