Don’t panic, ready for new variant: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Amid rising cases of fresh Covid-19 infection, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal assured there was no need to panic as Delhi government was prepared to deal with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Kejriwal, however, urged the central government to allow fully vaccinated Delhiites to take a booster shot, starting with healthcare workers.
In a digital press briefing on Monday, the CM dismissed any panic over the Omicron variant and it was a very mild variant and Delhi government was prepared for it even if some citizens required hospitalisation. “We have made adequate preparations for beds, oxygen, medicine and everything else that may be needed to fight the virus,” he said. “We won’t let the people of Delhi face difficulties in treatment.”
Kejriwal promised genome sequencing of every positive sample to determine the variant. Till now only people arriving at the airport were being tested for variants, but with over 100 positive cases on Sunday, genome sequencing of all positive tests will be done, he said.
The CM said that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) met on Monday under the chairmanship of lieutenant governor Anil Baijal to discuss the Covid situation. “We assessed the impact and problems posed by the variant with experts, who informed us that the Omicron variant spread rapidly but was mild in nature,” said Kejriwal. “One might get fever and other symptoms. The need for hospitalisation is very low overall and the chances of death are very low too.”
He said that 99% of Delhi’s eligible population had received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine while 70% were now fully vaccinated. He appealed to the Centre to allow booster doses. “We have the infrastructure to administer booster doses. We can start with our healthcare workers and then the rest of the population,” he said.
The CM requested everyone to wear face masks in public places. “We’ve seen how people have reduced the use of masks in markets. Our safety is in our own hands and masks are the best defence against Covid. Everyone must take the situation seriously and start wearing masks again,” he exhorted.
He added, “After discussion with experts we have come to the conclusion that this time, home isolation would be best to deal with infection and so have decided to bolster our home isolation programme.”
The CM chaired a high-level meeting with all the authorities concerned on November 30 to review the state’s preparedness against Covid. Delhi government said in a statement that 30,000 Covid beds were assessed to be ready in the city, with 100 beds per ward to be arranged as and when required on a two week notice, taking the total bed capacity in Delhi to over 64,000 beds. Additionally, 6,800 ICUs would also be ready soon, the statement said.