Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that around 25,500 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the city and the positivity rate has increased to nearly 30 per cent in the last 24 hours.
Kejriwal also said that the Delhi government has sought the Centre's help in ensuring adequate beds and supply of oxygen for COVID-19 patients.
Less than 100 ICU beds are vacant in Delhi hospitals, and the situation is worsening every moment, Kejriwal said, adding that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah this morning and stressed on the need for making more beds available.
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"We are constantly in touch with the Centre and getting help from it," he said.
The chief minister said due to the fast pace of increasing COVID-19 infections, hospital beds and oxygen for patients are depleting fast in the city.
The Centre should reserve at least 7,000 of 10,000 beds in hospitals run by it in Delhi as COVID beds and ensure immediate supply of oxygen, he said.
The Delhi government in next 2-3 days will come up with 6,000 beds at Yamuna Sports Complex, Radha Swami Satsang Beas premises and schools. It is also arranging high flow oxygen beds for the patients, Kejriwal added.
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The Delhi government on Sunday also directed all nursing homes and private hospitals providing Covid-19-related treatment in the national capital to reserve at least 80 per cent of their ICU and ward beds for coronavirus patients.
The order issued by the medical superintendent, nursing homes mentioned that the occupancy of ICU beds and ward beds for coronavirus patients in 115 private hospitals has reached "almost 100 per cent and 90 per cent" respectively.
"Therefore, to further augment bed capacity, all nursing homes and private hospitals providing COVID-related treatment are directed to reserve 80 per cent of their ICU beds and ward beds for the treatment of coronavirus patients," the order stated.
(With PTI inputs.)
