Third wave of pandemic in Delhi, but no need to panic: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

• Delhi CM warns the public about the upcoming third wave of the pandemic.
• Review meeting held on November 5 to discuss new anti-coronavirus strategies
• Government to increase tracing and testing to control the spread of the virus given the festive season

THD NewsDesk, New Delhi: On November 4, Delhi CM Kejriwal cautioned the people of Delhi from the forthcoming “third wave” of the pandemic. Focusing on the achievements of the Delhi government in containing the spread of the second wave of Coronavirus in October, he asked Delhi residents not to panic. During the virtual meeting, the Delhi CM highlighted the dedicated efforts of Delhi’s officials in providing adequate beds in Covid facilities. He expressed regret at the shortage of ICU beds with ventilators in private hospitals. However, he was quick to reassure that the government ks closely monitoring the situation, and the issue would soon be addressed. 

The alarming surge in Covid cases – an unprecedented 6,725 fresh cases on November 3 – is associated with the third wave of the pandemic in Delhi. On average, the national capital was reporting over 5,000 daily cases for about a week, out of the estimated 50,000 tests being conducted per day. 

“Delhi has witnessed a jump in the number of Covid-19 cases. I think we can call it a third wave…we have been monitoring the situation continuously, and there is no need to panic. We will take whatever steps are needed,” the chief minister informed the reporters.

The vast numbers had seen a considerable dip in the period between September end and beginning of October which experts thought marked the end of the second wave. The number of coronavirus cases was less than 3,000 in the city.

On October 6, Kejriwal noted the decline of Covid cases, reducing to 3000 new patients per day remarking that Delhi was past the peak of the pandemic. However, the recent spurt in cases has concerned the Delhi government. 

Addressing the public, CM Kejriwal pledged to furnish the best possible treatment and medical care facilities to Covid-19 patients in Delhi. Aiming to strategise initiatives to curb the Covid fatality rate, a high-level meeting had been called on November 5 to review the situation. 

“The Delhi government had increased their numbers (ICU beds in private hospitals) but, unfortunately, the Delhi High Court stayed our decision. We are moving the Supreme Court today to urge it to vacate the stay,” Kejriwal said.

Under the supervision of Health Minister Satyendar Jain, government officials have concentrated their efforts towards aggressive testing in the capital. Recently, the Delhi government is also contemplating increasing RT-CPR testing and collection of samples from public places. Keeping the festival season in mind, safety guidelines regarding movement would be revised to restrict community transmission of the virus.

Considering the grim situation, the AAP government had earlier proposed to reserve 80% ICU beds for coronavirus patients in 33 private hospitals. Unfortunately, the decision was stayed by the Delhi HC in September.

Source: Bloomberg Quint