2,918 COVID-19 cases in Delhi; Kejriwal says no more lockdown relaxation beyond what Centre suggests

Delhi on Sunday reported 293 fresh COVID-19 cases -- the second highest in a day -- taking the total tally in the city to 2,918, even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the implementation of the MHA's guidelines on the opening of shops, but said the lockdown will not be relaxed beyond what the Centre has suggested.

According to the health department, as many as 877 patients have been cured till now, while 54 have died of the disease. No fresh death has been reported in the last 24 hours.

The first highest number of coronavirus cases being reported in a day was 356 on April 13.

On Sunday, nineteen more staffers of Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in North Delhi's Jahangir Puri area tested positive novel coronavirus, taking the total number of cases at the facility to 59.

Till Saturday, the number of staffers affected by the virus stood at 40. According to a senior official, 68 more samples are yet to be tested.

"The critically ill patients will remain in the hospital. The hospital management will take care of them," said North Delhi District Magistrate Deepak Shinde said.

The hospital will be closed down for new patients for the next three days, an official said, adding all staff at the hospital will be screened for the COVID-19.

The number of containment zones rose to 97 in the national capital, with new two such zones coming up on Sunday.

Three mediapersons have also tested positive for coronavirus, sources said.

They said among the infected persons, one is a freelance photographer while the two are camerapersons.

Recently, the Delhi government had set up a testing centre where hundreds of mediapersons underwent COVID-19 test.

Addressing an online media briefing on Sunday, Kejriwal said, "We are going through difficult times. We will have to continue our efforts to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections in Delhi."