Third wave has hit Delhi, 10K new cases expected today: Jain
Delhi is likely to report around 10,000 Covid infections today (January 5), with the daily positivity rate rising to nearly 10 per cent and the third wave of Covid-19 has set in, according to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
Speaking on genome sequencing of Covid-19 samples, Jain said it is not possible to conduct genome sequencing of all samples now. “Only 300-400 samples are being sequenced,” he said.
Meanwhile, around 90,000 tests were conducted on Tuesday, said the Health Minister of Delhi.
Jain said that the Delhi government has instructed private hospitals to increase the number of reserved beds for Covid-19 patients to 40 per cent from the earlier 10 per cent capacity. Nearly 2 per cent of beds are occupied in the government hospitals, he said.
Delhi reported 5,481 fresh Covid-19 cases on Tuesday and three patients died from the virus, taking the death toll to 25,113. The case positivity rate of the city touched 8.37 per cent, which has been termed as the highest since May 17 2021 when it stood at 8.42 per cent.
Dr Ashish Khattar, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine at Delhi’s Venkateshwar Hospital, said: “In the current scenario, ICU admission is not required (for Covid patients). This time, symptoms are milder and there is no major concern.” On Tuesday the Minister had announced steps taken to curb the spread of Covid in Delhi by imposing weekend curfew. “100 per cent government offices to work from home except for essential Departments, private office to run with 50 per cent capacity and buses & metros to run on 100 per cent seating capacity to avoid the congestion, wearing mask is mandatory,” he tweeted