Coronavirus: The coronavirus crisis has been spreading exponentially around the world (File)
Highlights
- Two people have died so far in Delhi due to COVID-19
- 89 patients are battling the infection in hospitals
- Delhi government is carrying out door-to-door search for contact tracing
With a sharp jump of 25 in the past 24 hours, the number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has risen to 97, the government informed today. Two people have died so far in the national capital because of the disease, which has killed over 35,000 across the world.
Out of the 97 coronavirus patients, 89 are in hospitals battling the infection, while five have recovered, a Delhi government statement said.
Listing the measures taken to check the spread of the virus, the government said health workers are carrying out house-to-house surveillance for contact tracing of positive cases.
So far, 209567 passengers from COVID-19 affected countries have been screened at the Delhi airport, the statement said. 19,989 people are put in self-quarantine whereas 1137 people are placed in institutions.
Last week, thousands of Delhi's migrant workers – who lost their means of sustenance because of the lockdown- had gathered at a bus station to get to their native towns, defeating the purpose of the nationwide shutdown, ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to the migrant workers not to violate the lockdown, assuring that his government will provide them essentials for their sustenance.
The centre also wrote to the states and Union Territories ordering them to strictly enforce the lockdown, and asking the state governments to provide food and shelter to those stranded.
On Monday, over 300 people in Delhi were taken to different hospitals to be tested for coronavirus after a gathering at a mosque that featured visitors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan. One man has died and 10 more have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the event earlier this month.
Mr Kejriwal has ordered a first information report regarding the event.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, meanwhile, today held a meeting with Mr Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, district magistrates and senior police officials. He reportedly warned officers that strict action could be taken against them for any laxity during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, news agency PTI reported.
On Sunday, two senior Delhi officers were suspended on charge of "dereliction" of their duty to enforce the lockdown.