The Delhi Government has written to the Centre to again scale up Covid beds in its hospitals run by it in the national Capital amid surge in coronavirus cases.
“We have requested the Centre to increase Covid beds in Central Government hospitals. Currently, 1,090 Covid beds are available at Central Government hospitals, which were more than 4,000 in November 2020,” Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain asserted.
Jain while responding to a question about the availability of beds in temporary COVID care centres said “There are 5,525 beds in Delhi government’s COVID care centre, wherein 190 beds are occupied. This accounts for only two per cent of the total beds while rests are still available.”
While talking about the COVID bed increment, Jain said, “We are consistently expanding the number of COVID beds. We have added nearly 5,000 beds in the last week and 50 per cent beds are still available. The numbers of COVID beds are being further increased.”
The health minister further said that 1,14,288 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. He appealed to people to stay at home and move out only when needed. The Minister reiterated that it was absolutely necessary to wear a mask when stepping out of the house, which would help fight COVID.
Jain further said that the government had increased nearly 5,000 beds in the last week and 50 per cent beds are available with the numbers being further escalated. He added that around two per cent of beds in Delhi Government’s COVID-19 care centres are occupied while the rest are vacant.
On the issue of rising COVID-19 cases in Delhi, Jain said, “Delhi recorded 10,774 positive cases with a positivity rate of 9.43 per cent. In the last 24 hours, we have conducted 1,14,288 COVID-19 tests. As per reports, COVID cases have increased exponentially both in India as well as in Delhi.”
Talking about the number of ventilators in hospitals, Jain said, “There are only two types of beds -- ICU beds and normal ward beds. A year ago, the issue of the number of ventilators was huge. Now, we have HFNO, Bi-Pap and high-flow oxygen, which are equally good as ventilators..
