Delhi Govt taking measures to combat possible Covid third wave: Jain
Health Minister Satyendar Jain attended a virtual session organised by ASSOCHAM as the chief guest today. The topic for the session was Delhi Healthcare System: Preparedness to combat the third wave of Covid-19 and was attended by senior doctors.
The Health Minister informed the gathering that over 37,000 beds dedicated for Covid-19 are being built presently and the Delhi Government is preparing for the worst-case scenario so that it can save precious lives as it has learnt from the experience of the second wave and is taking all necessary measures to combat any potential wave and the government is building all necessary health infrastructure from PSAs to more oxygen, ventilator and ICU beds.
The distinguished panellists gave their valuable opinions upon the matter and even asked the Health Minister regarding Delhi’s preparation for a possible third wave of Covid-19.
“All necessary measures are being taken and health infrastructure is being ramped up to unprecedented levels with more than 37,000 Covid dedicated beds being built for the fight against Covid,” the Health Minister said. He also said about the various subsidy schemes that the Delhi Government has launched to facilitate building of PSA oxygen plants and LMO facilities.
The Minister emphasised upon being vigilant and following Covid-appropriate behaviour which is crucial in tackling the spread. “We have made public what our response would be. If the positivity rate now goes up to 5 per cent, then we will go for an immediate lockdown without delay,” Jain said.
While addressing the questions about the second wave he said: “We were caught off guard because of oxygen shortage and the logistical issues of procuring it but now over 50 oxygen plants have already been built and more are in line so that such a problem doesn’t rise again.”
He also told the doctors about the experience of field hospitals or makeshift hospitals which were made during the second wave.
The Health Minister said: “Makeshift hospitals created in Chattarpur, Sant Nirankari Colony, Ramleela Maidan are now being ramped up with ICU beds and ventilators, which are more than 1200 in number. Further, the Delhi Government is also training more medical staff and doctors belonging to different streams.”
While answering the question on the vaccination drive, the Minister said, “Delhi has the capacity of administering 3 to 4 lakh doses every day provided we get the supplies required and 1 crore doses have already been administered in the state.” The Minister, through the forum, also asked people to stay vigilant as the virus is still very much present in society. “The cases are increasing again in the UK and the US, thus we must not drop our guard at this point. All possible efforts are being made to ensure that a third wave doesn’t come and if at all it comes, we are to be prepared for the worst,” he added.
The Delhi Government is not leaving any stone unturned in its effort towards saving precious lives from Covid. “75,000 tests are still being carried out every day and aggressive contact tracing is still on to ensure that the situation remains under control,” the Health Minister said.
On this occasion, the Health Minister also expressed gratitude to everyone from the industry and civil society members who helped the government in fighting the deadly second wave.
