Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE: PWD told to install CCTV in Covid-19 wards

In the past 7 days alone, Delhi has added 13,528 cases, or 33% of its total tally. Stay tuned for Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE updates

11:41 PM

Delhi govt likely to use rapid antigen test kits in containment zones from June 20

11:26 PM

Centre forms three teams to inspect Covid hospitals in Delhi, suggest measures for improvement

10:51 PM

Delhi looks at stepping up testing

As Delhi prepares to ramp up testing for the coronavirus infection, Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said laboratory facilities under the Centre in the national capital are being extended to the city government, while all labs and hospitals have been directed to work on their full potential to step up testing.
 

The Delhi government is likely to use rapid antigen kits for testing in containment zones and healthcare settings from June 20, officials said.
 

The move comes after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advocated the use of rapid antigen test kits for diagnosis of Covid-19 in containment zones and healthcare settings in combination with the RT-PCR test.
 

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met leaders of various political parties in the national capital.

10:42 PM

Delhi govt asks its PWD to install CCTV cameras in Covid-19 wards within 24 hours

10:40 PM

DDMA's meeting to discuss capping hospital charges postponed

A crucial meeting of the Delhi Diaster Management Authority to discuss capping private hospital and ambulance charges amidst allegations of exorbitant cost of Covid-19 treatment has been postponed, officials said on Monday.

 

Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is also the DDMA chairman, had called the meeting on Tuesday (June 16) to discuss several important issues such as setting up of large makeshift hospitals, reduction in testing charges by private labs, and empowerment of resident welfare associations (RWA) by providing oxymeters and oxygen cylinders to deal with the pandemic.

 

"The DDMA meeting, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow, has been postponed. A new date will be decided later this week," an official said.

 

9:17 PM

73 deaths and 1647 new positive cases reported in Delhi today; the total in national capital now reaches 42,829, death toll 1400

9:00 PM

Amid spike in Covid-19 cases, North Western Railway to rush 150 isolation coaches to Delhi

The railways have decided to provide isolation coaches in Delhi amidst an increase in the spread of coronavirus infections in the national capital, officials said on Monday. On the instructions of the Railway Board, the North Western Railway (NWR), which is headquartered in Jaipur, will be sending 150 such coaches to Delhi, the officials said.

 

According to Chief PRO (NWR) Abhay Sharma, NWR has converted 266 coaches as isolation coaches keeping in view the spike in coronavirus cases at its different divisions in pursuance of the directions from the Board. The Railway Board has taken the initiative on the recommendation of the Delhi government, the NWR spokesperson said.

 

Of these, Ajmer division has converted 85 coaches, Jodhpur division 83 coaches, Bikaner division 50 coaches and Jaipur division 48 coaches into isolation coaches," he said. Apart from the first batch of 150 coaches that are being sent to Delhi, the remaining coaches will be sent as per requirement in future.

8:53 PM

Amit Shah visits LNJP hospital; orders CCTV in Covid-19 wards of all designated hospitals

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to install CCTV cameras in Covid-19 wards of every designated hospital in the national capital for proper monitoring, and alternative canteens for uninterrupted supply of food to the patients.

 

After paying a surprise visit to the Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan (LNJP) hospital here to review arrangements related to Covid-19, Shah also suggested psychosocial counselling of doctors and nurses engaged in the service of humanity through fight against coronavirus.

 

The home minister directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to install CCTV cameras in Covid-19 wards of every coronavirus-designated hospital, so that there is proper monitoring and problems of patients can be resolved, a home ministry statement said.

8:43 PM

Modi govt will leave no stone unturned to help people in need: Amit Shah after visiting LNJP hospital in Delhi

8:36 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi govt orders labs to ramp up Covid-19 testing to meet demand

The Delhi government on Monday issued a slew of guidelines for government and private labs after the Central Government's decision to ramp up testing in the city.

 

Delhi has the third-highest Covid-19 count after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The capital's tally of coronavirus infections has touched 41,182 as the number of deaths due to the disease climbed to 1,327. The AAP government ordered all laboratories to work with full potential and increase testing capacity so that demand can be met. The city government further directed that no samples should be taken without RT-PCR and that they should be taken by strictly following the ICMR guidelines.

 

There is no limit on the maximum number of samples that can be sent for testing in private labs, they said, adding that the labs will have to give results in 24-48 hours. There are a total of 42 labs to test the corona samples in Delhi, out of which 18 are government labs and 24 private ones. Home Minister Amit Shah had on Monday chaired an all-party meeting in the wake of a spurt in novel coronavirus cases in the national capital.