Delhi news live: City records 10,732 new Covid-19 cases, highest in a day

I appeal people to not step out of their houses unless its very important: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi records 10,732 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest in a day till date

Hitting another record daily high of 1,52,879 new coronavirus infections, India's Covid-19 tally of cases climbed to 1,33,58,805, while the active cases breached the 11-lakh mark for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll increased to 1,69,275 with 839 daily new fatalities, the highest since October 18, 2020, the data updated at 8am showed. Registering a steady increase for the 32nd day in row, the active cases increased to 11,08,087 comprising 8.29 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate further dropped to 90.44 per cent, the ministry said.

Covid cases are rising in the city and so is occupancy of ICU and ventilator beds. But the severity of cases has come down in the past one month. Data sourced from the health department suggests there were 343 active cases in Gurugram district on March 1. Of them, 15 Covid patients or 4.3% were in the ICU and four persons or 1.1% were on ventilator support. Although the bed occupancy by Covid patients in the critical category has increased multiple times since March 1, the severity of the cases is lower when compared to the number of active cases. As of Saturday, Gurugram had 5,013 active cases. Of them, 92 patients or 1.8% were in the ICU and 30 patients or 0.6% were on ventilator support. This suggests that fewer patients are turning critical now.

In order to meet the increased demand for manpower during the ongoing Covid pandemic, all Delhi Government hospitals are directed to engage 4th and 5th-year MBBS students, interns and BDS doctors to assist in the treatment of Covid affected patients. "In view of the surge of Covid pandemic and to meet the demand of increased manpower, the Medical Directors/Medical Superintendents/Directors of all Covid Hospitals of Government of NCT of Delhi are authorized to engage 4th and 5th-year MBBS students, Interns and BDS pass Doctors as per the provisions of order No. 52/DGHS/PH-IV/COVID-19/2020/ss4hfw/1144 dated 18.11.2020 issued by this Department", read the order by the Delhi government.

With over seven lakh Covid cases, Delhi is the sixth most affected among states and UTs in the country. Maharashtra tops the list with over 32 lakh cases, followed by Kerala (11.6 lakh), Karnataka (10.6 lakh), Andhra Pradesh (9.2 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (9.3 lakh) In terms of fatalities reported, Delhi stands fourth in the country with 11,235 deaths. Maharashtra has reported over 57,000 deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu (12,886) and Karnataka (12,849). Till March second week, the positivity rate of Covid-19 tests in the capital was less than 1%. However, it started increasing exponentially from March 22.

Delhi recorded 7,897 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, while 39 more people died due to the infection, taking the death toll to 11,235. The positivity rate was recorded at 10.21%, going over 10% for the first time this year. It shows how widespread the infection has become, doctors said.

All schools, colleges and educational institutions will remain closed. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged. However, students of Classes 9 to 12 may be called to school only for providing academic guidance and support to students for various examinations after following the prescribed standard operating procedure for Covid safety issued by the directorate of education and with the consent of parents.

The CM said that Delhi has 7-10 days’ stock of Covid vaccines and again appealed to the Centre to remove the age restriction for taking the jab because inoculating everyone will help. He said the Delhi government is ready to vaccinate all within 2-3 months if the restrictions are removed.

The Delhi government on Saturday prohibited all social, entertainment, cultural and other gatherings, capped the number of people at funerals at 20 and at weddings at 50. The restrictions announced in the Delhi Disaster Management Authority order include a 50% cap on the seating capacity in restaurants, bars, Delhi Metro coaches and buses. The DDMA also barred spectators in stadia and capped at 50% the seating capacity in cinemas, multiplexes and theatres. All these restrictions are with immediate effect and will remain till April 30.

In a worrying sign, universities and colleges are fast becoming the new Covid-19 hotspots. After a couple of positive cases, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) has now set up a testing camp. Meanwhile, more students at Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College are learnt to have tested positive. A circular issued by NSUT stated: “(A) few cases of Covid have been detected on campus. To curb the possibility of further spread, it is imperative that Covid test be conducted for university employees and students residing on the campus. For this purpose, a camp is being organised at NSUT on Saturday. All employees, including outsourced workers and students staying on campus, are directed to undergo the test (sic).”