On Sunday, addressing a press conference, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal stated that, while coronavirus cases are rising, data shows that most COVID-19 patients don't need hospitalisation. "Active COVID-19 cases rose from about 2,000 on December 29 to 6,000 on January 1, but number of patients in hospitals dipped in this period. Delhi reported around 3,100 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday. Only 82 oxygen beds are occupied in hospitals. 99.78 per cent are unoccupied," Kejriwal said. "Data shows most COVID patients don't need hospitalisation, almost all cases are mild or asymptomatic," he said. Maharashtra has the highest number of daily COVID cases at 460, with Delhi coming second with 351 infections.
In wake of the rise in cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday declared a ''yellow alert'' under which schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms will remain closed. Shops dealing in non-essential items will open on an odd-even basis, and metro trains and buses will run with 50 per cent of seating capacity in the city. The yellow alert is imposed when the COVID-19 positivity rate stays above 0.50 percent for two consecutive days. "
"The cases have risen but there has been no increase in consumption of oxygen or use of ventilators. Most of the patients are getting cured without hospitalisation as they have minor symptoms or are asymptomatic," he said during an online briefing.
The chief minister assured Delhiites that his government is ten times more prepared than before to tackle the rising cases. Kejriwal, however, said it was unfortunate that people were visiting markets and malls without masks and appealed to them to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.
