New Delhi:
The number of fresh Covid cases in the national capital nearly doubled within the last 24 hours, shooting up from 5481 to 10,665 in the biggest single-day spike since May 12. Eight deaths were also recorded — the highest since June 26 — amid the third wave driven by Omicron, a milder but highly infectious variant of coronavirus. The positivity rate was 11.88 per cent — the highest since May 14. The spike in Covid cases is also being accompanied by higher numbers of hospitalisations.
Leaves of all Delhi government officials and staff have been cancelled to ensure adequate manpower to handle Covid wave, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has said.
Earlier today, Dr Suresh Kumar, the Director of Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital or LNJP, told NDTV that hospitalisations are increasing by the day. Of the 2,000 beds reserved for Covid patients, only 45 are available, he said, pointing out that the daily admissions have shot up to 15 to 20, from two or three a day.
The third wave has set in India, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said, adding that 40 per cent beds in private hospitals are being reserved to handle the wave.
