New Delhi:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Delhi government is not planning any lockdown in the wake of the fourth wave of Corona in the national capital. He said that if needed, his government will only do it after due consultation with the public.
Addressing a digital press conference on the rising coronavirus cases in Delhi, he also urged the Central government to open up the vaccination process for everyone instead of keeping it restricted to specific age groups in certain states in face of the rising infection.
He said that the Delhi government is testing, tracing, and isolating aggressively and wherever there seems to be a need for demarcation of containment zones, it would be done to prevent the further spread of Corona.
He further said that Delhi is witnessing the fourth wave of Corona, which is less serious than the previous ones, mortality rates are comparatively low and the number of people being admitted into hospitals and ICU is relatively low as well.
“We saw that in October, 3000-4000 new cases came up daily. At the time, there were around 1700 patients in the ICU and today it is around 800, i.e. 50% drop. When at the same time, the mortality rate was 40 deaths per day, today it is around 10-12. This new wave is comparatively less serious in the sense that a lesser number of people are required to access the hospitals and most of them are being treated efficiently under home isolation,” he added.
“However, in today’s meeting, we looked into the provision for additional requirements for hospitals in case people fall sick, and need to get admitted into the hospital. The provision of ambulance, hospital, ventilator, oxygen, and ICU were all discussed today and for this, a plan has been laid down as to in what stages the number of ICU beds in the private and government hospitals would be increased. Hospital management and health management system, if cases increase at such pace in times of Coronavirus, were also looked into. Keeping that in mind we have fully planned the course of action today,” said the CM.
Kejriwal said, “We have three broad concerns. Firstly, how to prevent its spread? For which we always emphasize testing, tracing, and isolation. This is being carried out quite aggressively and wherever there seems to be a need for demarcation of containment zones, it would be done to prevent its further spread. However, the government would play a very limited role in this. The most important role is that of the public. Us Delhiites tackled the last three peaks so beautifully and emerged successfully. Today, I would like to request you all to again start wearing your masks; since wearing masks, social distancing and frequent washing of hands are of prime importance in tackling its spread.”
He said, “The second important concern is that of hospital management, i.e. if we fall sick there must be ample facility in the hospital and a good treatment process. For that too, the government is taking the necessary steps. The third is that of vaccination, on which the government is paying full attention since the more number of people get vaccinated, the more control we would have over the situation.”
Kejriwal said, “We have been facing two issues- first that under the central government guidelines, vaccination can only be done in hospitals and health facilities. There was a little apprehension in the beginning with regard to the side effects of vaccination, i.e. in such a case, it could be treated immediately…Yesterday, 71,000 people have vaccinated out of which four people had a minor reaction, that too went away within 2-3 hours. This proves that the vaccine is safe.
“Hence, if the central government permits us to do mass vaccination then hundreds and thousands of facilities can be created in community centres, schools, etc and a mass vaccination drive could be initiated. If this is done, it would be a great aid to control the spread of the virus,” he suggested.
The CM also urged the people of Delhi to properly follow COVID protocol.
