'Delhi ramping up health infrastructure to fight possible third Covid wave'
Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Jun, 2021 01:38 PM
New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday apprised Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal of the administration's action plan to battle the possible third wave of Covid in the national capital.
During a meeting with Baijal, who also chairs the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kejriwal presented a blueprint of the preparations being made by the Delhi government to tackle the possible third wave.
"A state-level task force, more healthcare staff and a special task force for treatment of children are among the Delhi government's action plan to deal with the third wave," the Chief Minister Office (CMO) said in a statement.
During the meeting, Kejriwal told Baijal if the third wave hits Delhi, then during normal situation about 37,000 coronavirus cases can emerge per day, whereas if the outbreak is very high, then the count might climb to 45,000.
"Delhi government is preparing for the management of beds, among others, keeping in mind the normal and worst-case scenario. If there is a possible third wave of Covid and the situation in the national capital becomes extremely distressing, the government is working continuously on how many oxygen beds and ICU beds will be required during that time," CMO said.
In view of this, the Delhi government has constituted a committee to enhance and strengthen the health infrastructure of the national capital, including a state level expert committee for mitigation and management of the third wave of Covid-19 cases in Delhi.
Besides, a Paediatric task force for management of Covid-19 and treatment of children has also been set up.
As per the data provided by the CMO, Delhi has so far installed 32 PSA oxygen plants with capacity of 29.77 MT and 7 PSA oxygen plants with capacity of 5.7 MT will be installed at the end of June.
Further, Delhi will also install another 15 PSA oxygen plants with capacity of 18.8 MT July 31 and 10 more PSA plants with capacity of 10.42 MT will be added by end of September this year.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Thursday announced immediate distribution of 10 lakh packets of dry ration to daily wagers and unorganised labourers to help them during the curfew because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Urging the police personnel to exercise maximum restraint in the difficult situation, the Chief Minister asked them to find more compassionate ways of handling curfew violations, especially in cases of individuals found moving out for essentials.
A 63-year-old woman from Kangra who failed to disclose her travel history following her return from Dubai and was later tested positive for COVID-19 has been booked under Section 270 of the IPC, which carries a maximum imprisonment of upto two years.
In an unprecedented incident, a Mumbai man allegedly killed his younger brother for trying to step out of home during the ongoing 21-day lockdown period, police said here on Thursday.
"I hereby donate an amount of Rs 5,00,000/- each (Rs five lakhs) towards the "Chief Ministers Relief Fund" for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fight against COVID-19," she tweeted.
