New Delhi:
Amidst surge in COVID cases, the Delhi government has gradually increased the testing and has conducted more than 1,14,000 COVID tests in last 24 hours, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Monday.
He said, “Delhi recorded 10,774 positive COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 9.43% on Sunday. Whereas, in the last 24 hours, we’ve conducted 1,14,288 COVID-19 tests. As per reports, COVID cases have increased exponentially both in India as well as in Delhi. I appeal to everyone to stay at home and step out only when necessary. It is highly recommended that you wear a mask while stepping out of the house as this would help us to fight this virus.”
Further talking about the number of ventilators in hospitals, Jain said, “There are only two types of beds — ICU beds and normal ward beds. A year ago, the issue of the number of ventilators was huge. Now, we have HFNO, Bi-Pap and high-flow oxygen, which are equally good as ventilators. We should know that not every patient requires a ventilator; only 2-3% need it. If a ventilator bed is occupied, it is counted as a patient being on a ventilator, but when it comes to the actual use of ventilators, the number of patients using them is very less.”
Similarly, talking about the COVID bed increment, Jain said, “We are consistently expanding the number of COVID beds. We have added nearly 5,000 beds in the last week and 50% beds are still available. The number of COVID beds are being further escalated.”
In response to a question about the availability of beds in temporary COVID care centres, the Health Minister stated, “There are 5,525 beds in Delhi government’s COVID care centre, wherein 190 beds are occupied. This accounts for only 2% of the total beds while rest are still available.”
Jain asserted that the Delhi government has urged the Centre to increase COVID beds in Central government hospitals. Currently, 1,090 COVID beds are available at Central Government hospitals, which were more than 4,000 in November 2020, he added.
“Temporary Covid Care Centres will be set up at different places as per the need,” concluded the minister.
