Covid-19: Delhi sees highest spike in 72 days

NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded 2,973 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, the highest single-day spike in 72 days. The tally in the city mounted to over 1.88 lakh, while the death toll climbed to 4,538. This is the fifth successive day in September when over 2,000 new cases have been reported in a day.
Twenty-five fatalities have been recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
On June 26, Delhi had recorded 3,460 cases, the highest single-day spike before September 5.
The active cases’ tally on Saturday rose to 19,870 from 18,842 the previous day. “If the trend of increasing Covid-19 cases continues, Delhi may need more ICU beds,” doctors say.
According to a senior doctor at Lok Nayak hospital, the demand for general Covid beds has now gone down as most persons suffering from mild symptoms are recovering at home itself. “Most patients visiting the hospital require ICU care. Influx of patients from other states is another major concern,” the doctor said.
One of the major changes in the novel coronavirus management strategy of the state government in the recent past is an increase in testing.
Delhi conducted a record 38,895 tests — 9,562 RT-PCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat and 29,333 rapid antigen — for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, officials in the state health department said.
“The cases have gone up mainly due to increased mobility in NCR. Also, many people aren’t wearing masks,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, associate director, internal medicine department at Max Saket.
The director of AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria, has suggested levying hefty fines to ensure people wear masks while moving around in public places.
Lok Nayak Hospital says they have been getting 80 to 90 new admissions for Covid-19 daily over the past few days. In July, this number had reduced to less than 30, said Dr Suresh Kumar, medical director of the hospital.
Overall, data shared by the hospitals on Delhi Corona app showed that 4,985 (35%) out of 14,163 Covid beds were occupied at 10 pm on Friday.