The number of fresh Covid cases in the national capital nearly doubled within the last 24 hours, shooting up from 5481 to 10,665 in the biggest single-day spike since May 12. Eight deaths were also recorded -- the highest since June 26 -- amid the third wave driven by Omicron, a milder but highly infectious variant of coronavirus. The positivity rate was 11.88 per cent -- the highest since May 14. The spike in Covid cases is also being accompanied by higher numbers of hospitalisations.
Leaves of all Delhi government officials and staff have been cancelled to ensure adequate manpower to handle Covid wave, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has said.
Earlier today, Dr Suresh Kumar, the Director of Delhi's Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital or LNJP, told NDTV that hospitalisations are increasing by the day. Of the 2,000 beds reserved for Covid patients, only 45 are available, he said, pointing out that the daily admissions have shot up to 15 to 20, from two or three a day.
The third wave has set in India, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said, adding that 40 per cent beds in private hospitals are being reserved to handle the wave.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said his government is ready to handle up to one lakh Covid cases a day. Other arrangements have been made to keep tabs on the patients who are in home isolation.
Currently, 11,551 patients are in home isolation.
Delhi has imposed the weekend curfew and work from home for government offices to arrest the sudden spurt in Covid cases. Under the restrictions, private offices can only function at 50 per cent capacity. Buses and the Delhi metro will operate at full capacity in order to avoid long queues and crowding.
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