NEW DELHI — Satyendar Jain, Health Minister of New Delhi, assured that the capital is preparing to tackle the third wave of Covid-19 if it arises, as Covid-19 cases continue to decline in Delhi.
“Delhi government is making full preparations for the third corona wave,” he said.
“We are arranging 37,000 beds, preparing 12,000 oxygen beds, etc. Different preparations are also being made for children.”
“Under the guidance of CM @ArvindKejriwal to combat the next covid wave, Delhi Govt has made a Rapid Response Center at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital. This will be manned by a Rapid Response Team,” tweeted Jain.
The second wave of Covid-19 swept India in April-May 2021, with positive corona cases breaching the 400,000 per day. Several states imposed a lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly pathogen.
The hospitals in Delhi saw cases spilling out with authorities swinging in action to build make-shift hospital facilities.
Over the past few weeks, several experts warned of a third wave looming, expressing concerns that it may specifically affect children.
Under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Institute of Disaster Management has warned of a third Covid-19 wave peak in October in its recent report to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The National Institute of Disaster Management’s report forecasted that the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic would likely hit India between July 15 and Oct. 13, 2021.
Emphasizing the effect of the potential Corona third wave on children, the report said the Indian Academy of Pediatrics found no biological evidence that the current and the new Delta Plus variant will affect children more than adults.
The report further said that Lancet Covid-19 Commission India Task Force concluded no current evidence that an anticipated the third wave will target children specifically. However, concerns remain.
“Cases are very less in today’s date,” said Jain on re-opening of schools.
“The position of the number of individuals being vaccinated is also getting better day by day. All the states are opening schools gradually. The Delhi government will see the situation in the next few days and then decide on it.”
With 17 cases, Delhi on Aug. 23 recorded its lowest number of new infections this year. The national capital’s positivity rate was reported to be 0.04 percent, with 374 active cases. The total cases in Delhi stand at 14,37,334, informed the Delhi Health Department.
For the fourth consecutive day, Delhi had not recorded a single Covid-19 fatality. The cumulative death toll of Covid-19 stands at 25,079.
“Markets of Delhi were allowed to function till 8 pm due to Covid-19,” tweeted Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister.
“In the wake of decreasing cases, this restriction will be removed starting Monday (Aug. 24). Now the markets can open as per their normal time.”
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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