Lockdown extended by another week as Delhi records 6,456 new Covid cases

Lockdown in Delhi has been extended by another week even as the national capital sees a decline in the Covid-19 cases for the past few days. The lockdown in Delhi has been extended till May 24, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday.

“We are extending the lockdown by one more week in Delhi,” the CM announced as he said that the gains made so far in combating Covid-19 cannot be lost due to any relaxations now.

Meanwhile, Delhi witnessed a further dip in positivity rate and reported 6,456 new coronavirus cases on Sunday. This is the third consecutive day in over a month that the number of new cases is below the 10,000 mark. The positivity rate has come down to 10.40 per cent, which is the lowest since 12 April.

The national capital reported 262 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to a health bulletin by the Delhi government. The death toll in Delhi has mounted to 21,506, while the cumulative fatality rate has increased to 1.55 per cent. The total case count in the city stands at 13,93,867, including 62,783 active cases.

During a visit to the GTB Hospital, the CM said that Delhi has recorded a “good level” of Covid-19 recoveries in the past few days and the number of cases is also reducing “very fast”.

“But we do not want the gains made in the past few days to be lost all of a sudden. So, the lockdown is being extended for another week till 5 am on May 24,” Kejriwal said.

The lockdown, imposed on 19 April, has been extended for the fourth time till 24 May morning. It was scheduled to end at 5 am on Monday.

CM Kejriwal on Saturday announced setting up of oxygen concentrator banks from 15 May. At least 200 oxygen concentrator banks will be set up in every district in Delhi for urgent and timely supply of medical oxygen for effective treatment of Covid-19 patients.

The Delhi government will also provide doorstep delivery of oxygen concentrators for Covid-19 patients who are recovering in home isolation.

Moreover, the Delhi government has started an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for Covid-19 management. Data related to hospitals, oxygen, vaccination and other aspects of Covid-19 management will be collected, collated and analysed on real time basis.