Delhi sees 3,594 new Covid cases in 24 hours; Kejriwal rules out lockdown

Centre should allow states to vaccinate everyone on war footing. Need to involve non-healthcare facilities in inoculation drive, Kejriwal says

Amid rising coronavirus cases, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that there is no plan to impose a lockdown and said that the only way to tackle fresh wave of infections is through mass vaccinations. 

On Friday, Delhi reported 3,594 new infections and 14 deaths, taking the case tally to 668,814. The positivity rate also mounted to 4.11 per cent amid a massive surge in cases in the span of the last few weeks.

Addressing the media on coronavirus situation in the national capital, Kejriwal said that Delhi is seeing fourth wave of infections and that there is no need to panic. "Even though the number of cases are increasing fast, but this is not as serious as the last wave," he said.

"If the Centre allows us to do vaccinations for all ages, then am confident that we will be able to control the spread of infections," Kejriwal said.

"Centre should allow states to vaccinate everyone on war footing. Need to involve non-healthcare facilities in inoculation drive," he said.

The Delhi chief minister also stressed that people must follow the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

"It has been observed that during October-November (last year) when around 3,000 cases were emerging daily, of them around 1,500-1,700 patients were referred to ICU wards... however, this time serious cases have come down to around 50 percent."

After chairing a high-level meeting on the coronavirus situation, Kejriwal said that his government is focusing only on vaccinations and 71,000 people were given doses in Delhi yesterday.

Kejriwal on Friday held a meeting at his residence in the wake of an increase in Covid-19 cases in the national capital.The meeting was attended by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other officials. Health Minister Satyendar Jain had earlier informed that Covid-19 testing will be increased to 80,000 per day in the national capital.

Delhi government had earlier this week capped the guests allowed at open wedding venues at 200 and at 100 in case of closed spaces. It also said that only 50 persons will be allowed at funerals till April 30.