Omicron Spike | 142 Cases In Delhi, Night Curfew From Tonight: All You Need To Know

Delhi recorded a spike in cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19, with the total number reaching 142 on Monday. Amid the spike in Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government on Sunday announced a night curfew in the national capital amid surging Covid-19 cases. With the announcement, Delhi joined the growing list of states and union territories that have imposed night curfews as part of strengthened Covid-19 protocols. The curfew will be imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am starting today.

Covid-19 cases in Delhi

Delhi reported 290 fresh Covid-19 cases and one fatality, while the positivity rate rose to 0.55 per cent, according to data shared by the Delhi government's health department on Sunday.

With this, the cumulative tally rose to 14,43,352 while the death toll rose to 25,105. The number of active cases stands at 1,103, of which 583 patients are in home isolation.

There has been an uptick in the number of cases in the last few days, amid a threat of the Omicron variant of the virus.

Omicron cases in Delhi

With  142 cases, Delhi currently has the highest number of Omicron infections in India, followed by Maharashtra. The Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital is currently treating 68 Omicron patients. 40 patients have been discharged out of which a majority were asymptomatic while some other patients had minor symptoms. None of the Omicron patients, so far, have required oxygen support or Covid-19 medications.

On December 22, as cases grew, the Delhi government decided to start sending each and every Covid-19 case for genome testing to detect Omicron.

Who is exempted from Night Curfew?

According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, only exempted-category people will be allowed in Metro trains and public transport buses during the night curfew hours.

The curfew restrictions do not apply to government officials, judges and judicial officers, medical personnel, pregnant women and patients, people going on feet to buy essential items, media persons, and people going to or returning from railway stations, bus stops and airports. These people are exempted from the curfew. 

No gatherings or celebrations:

The DDMA had previously banned any Christmas or New Year gatherings and put a cap of 200 people for events like weddings and funerals. Pubs, bars and restaurants have been allowed to open with 50 per cent capacity. 

Kejriwal thanks PM Modi for boosters

Earlier this week, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal had urged the Centre to allow giving booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines to those already fully vaccinated. He stated that the Delhi government had the adequate infrastructure for making it possible.  On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced booster shots for kids, elderly people and frontline workers from January 3, drawing cheers from Kejriwal.

Omicron cases in India

So far, 578 Omicron cases have been detected across 19  states and union territories in India and 151 of these people have recovered or migrated, according to Union health ministry data updated on Sunday.

Delhi has recorded the highest number of Omicron cases at 142, followed by Maharashtra at 141, Kerala  57, Gujarat 49, Rajasthan 43 and Telangana 41.

Night curfews in other states

Maharashtra: The state government announced on Friday that gatherings of five or more will not be allowed in Maharashtra between 9 pm and 6 am, as coronavirus cases recorded their highest rise in nearly two months amid the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday issued orders to initiate strict measures, including a statewide night curfew from December 25. The curfew will remain in effect from 11 pm to 5 am.

Madhya Pradesh: The MP government imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am on Thursday as part of its tightened Covid-19 protocols.

Gujarat: The government in Gujarat has implemented a night curfew as well amid rising cases of Omicron. The curfew has been imposed in eight cities of the state. Gujarat currently has 43 cases of Omicron and 637 Covid-19 cases. A majority of these cases are clustered in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Haryana: This state has also imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am starting January 1. Only people with vaccination certificates are to be allowed inside public places like malls, movie theatres or restaurants. A cap of 200 people has also been put on public gatherings.

(With inputs from PTI)