Centre to add more ICU beds, double RT-PCR tests to check rising COVID-19 cases in Delhi

Photo: Twitter/@AmitShah

New Delhi: Amid the rising coronavirus cases in the national capital, the Centre has assured more ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a high-level meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (November 15, 2020).

The meeting was held at the North Block and was attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi's Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other senior officers.

दिल्‍ली के अंदर कोविड-19 के बढ़ते मामलों और यहां मेडिकल इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर की समीक्षा करने के लिए आज एक उच्च स्तरीय बैठक की।

मई 2020 में मोदी सरकार ने दिल्ली की जनता को कोरोना से बचाने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार के साथ विभिन्न कदम उठाये थे जिनके सकारात्मक नतीजे सभी को देखने को मिले थे। pic.twitter.com/iTOW18kATd — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2020

Amit Shah who had earlier taken charge of the national capital in May, directed the following steps in order to check the rising COVID-19 cases in Delhi:

- The RT-PCR tests will be increased two-fold in Delhi.

- The mobile testing vans of the Health Ministry and ICMR will be deployed in the high-risk areas.

आज बैठक में विभिन्न निर्देश दिये।

1) सर्वप्रथम दिल्‍ली में RT-PCR टेस्ट में दो-गुना वृद्धि की जाएगी।

2) दिल्‍ली में लैबों की क्षमता का अधिक से अधिक उपयोग करके, जहां कोविड होने का खतरा ज़्यादा है, वहां स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य मंत्रालय तथा ICMR की मोबाइल टेस्टिंग वैनों को तैनात किया जाएगा। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2020

- The oxygen beds will be increased and 10,000-bedded Chhatarpur COVID care centre will be strengthened.

- Some MCD hospitals will be converted into dedicated COVID-19 hospitals for the treatment of patients with mild symptoms. 

4) ऑक्‍सीजन की सुविधा वाले बेडों की उपलब्धता बढ़ाने के उद्देश्‍य से छतरपुर के 10,000बेड वाले कोविड सेंटर को और सशक्त किया जाएगा।

5) MCD के कुछ चिन्हित अस्‍पतालों को हल्‍के-फुल्‍के लक्षण वाले कोविड-19 रोगियों के उपचार के लिए डेडिकेटेड अस्‍पतालों के रूप में परिवर्तित किया जाएगा। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2020

- Multi-departmental teams will visit all private hospitals in Delhi to clearly indicate the availability of beds and medical conditions.

- All previously initiated containment measures will be reviewed that will include reviewing the establishment of COVID-19 containment zones, contact tracing, and quarantine and screening. Those who are at high risk of getting the virus will be constantly reviewed so that there is no shortage in implementing preventive measures.

7) पहले शुरू किए गए सारे कंटेनमेंट उपायों की समीक्षा हो, जैसे कंटेनमेंट जोनों की स्‍थापना, कंटेक्‍ट ट्रेसिंग तथा क्वारंटीन और स्‍क्रीनिंग।

विशेषकर वह लोग जिन्हें कोविड होने का खतरा अधिक है उनकी लगातार समीक्षा की जानी चाहिए ताकि रोकथाम उपायों को लागू करने में कोई कमी ना रह जाए। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2020

- Centre will deploy additional doctors and paramedical staff from CAPF in view of the shortage of health workers in Delhi. They will be airlifted to Delhi at the earliest.

- People under home isolation will also be tracked and will be provided immediate help if required. 

- Protocols will be prepared for plasma donation in severe COVID-19 cases and for providing plasma to affected persons. 

- Centre will provide Delhi with oxygen cylinders, high flow nasal cannula and all other essential health equipment.

11) दिल्ली में अधिक से अधिक लोगों की जान बचने के लिए केंद्र सरकार दिल्ली को ऑक्सीजन सिलिंडर, High Flow Nasal Cannula व् अन्य सभी जरुरी स्वास्थ्य उपकरण उपलब्ध करवाएगी। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2020

Earlier on November 2, a meeting convened by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla had attributed the third surge in coronavirus cases in Delhi to festivals and a greater movement of people, accompanied by laxity in adhering to the basic principles of COVID-appropriate behaviour. However, Kejriwal last week blamed pollution for the spike in the cases.

Delhi that has been reportedly hit by COVID-19's third wave witnessed over 7,000 cases on November 6, followed by record 8,593 cases on November 11.

Meanwhile, Delhi's total COVID-19 tally has jumped to 4,85,405 after 3,235 new infections were recorded on Sunday.

Delhi has also seen 4,37,801 coronavirus recoveries, while 7,614 people have succumbed to the virus.

There are still 39,990 active COVID-19 cases across the national capital.

Delhi Health Bulletin - 15th November 2020#DelhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/lozlJGWrt4 — CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) November 15, 2020