Delhi reports highest ever single-day rise of over 17,000 new Covid cases
Delhi on Wednesday recorded as many as 17,282 fresh coronavirus cases, the sharpest daily spike this year. With this, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the national capital has reached over 7.67 lakh, while the death toll mounted to 11,540. One hundred four fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
This is the first time daily COVID cases have breached the 17,000-mark in the national capital since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.
CM Kejriwal to discuss situation with Lt Governor Anil Baijal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will discuss the coronavirus situation in the city with the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal during a meeting on Thursday, the CM's office said.
"In view of the spread of Covid-19 infection, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will discuss the situation with Lieutenant Governor at 11 am on Wednesday," the Chief Minister's Office tweeted.
Sources said that in the planned meeting Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Baijal and Chief Minister Kejriwal are expected to discuss staggered opening of shops and weekly markets, and restricted number of passengers in public transport among other measures.
Also, the timing of night curfew will be discussed. Last week, the AAP government had imposed night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30.
Earlier this week, Kejriwal had said that lockdown is no solution to slow the spread of coronavirus cases, and that it would be imposed in Delhi only if the "hospital system collapses".
Amid a massive surge in cases, the Delhi government on Wednesday issued an order to ramp up the number of beds reserved for COVID-19 patients at its hospitals and attach banquet halls and hotels to these facilities. The move will add around 3,269 beds in COVID health facilities in the national capital.
Meanwhile, the central government on Wednesday cancelled the CBSE's class 10 board exams and postponed its class 12 exams following an exponential surge in COVID-19 cases, a decision that will affect over 21 lakh students across the country.
ALSO READ | Lockdown? Railways to run 5 Bihar-bound special trains from Delhi to clear rush
According to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government, 1,08,534 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
The case tally stands at 7,67,438 in the national capital, including 7,05,162 patients who have either been discharged or have migrated or recovered.
The number of active cases is 50,736, of which 24,155 are in home isolation.
ALSO READ | Over 60 inmates at Delhi's three prisons undergoing treatment for Covid-19
ALSO READ | Covid ICU beds with ventilators fully occupied in 69 of 94 hospitals in Delhi
