With the situation in the national Capital deteriorating with every passing day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said declining positivity rate to 31.76 from 35 per cent is a ray of hope for people.
“The daily Covid-19 positivity rate has been below the 10-day average for the last three days. The highest was recorded at nearly 35 per cent about four days back. We thought that this might go beyond 40 and 45 per cent but, it has halted at 35 per cent and even dropping down further,” he said.
While presenting a graph that demonstrated the 10-day average and daily positivity, Jain stated that the 10-day average has been decreasing significantly in the past couple of days. “This ignites hope within us. We are foreseeing the positivity rate to decline even further,” he said.
Jain also presented a graph inclusive of Rapid Antigen Tests, average numbers and RTPCR Tests. “The curve has been sloping down as we can evidently see. This tells us that the cases have been dipping down in Delhi and is an optimistic sign for us,” he said.
The health minister said that the positivity rate in Delhi had touched the 35per cent mark four days ago which has come down to 31.76 per cent now. He said that the demand for oxygen has increased exponentially in Delhi and the Kejriwal-led government is focussing on increasing oxygen beds and maintaining its consistent supply.
The Health Minister took cognisance of the concerns arising in the decreasing number of tests in the national capital and clarified that the Delhi government has not reduced its testing strategy.
“In the face of the lockdown, public movement has substantially dropped down, and the footfall has decreased in dispensaries and hospitals. It is only because of the reduced footfall that the tests have slightly decreased, but otherwise the tests are being conducted for all in large numbers,” he said.
Noting the concerns regarding the number of deaths in the national capital, Jain emphatically stated that the Kejriwal government has kept everything transparent in front of the people of Delhi.
“This is not the time to politicise things. We do not have any right to conceal the numbers. The death certificates are being drafted constantly, and if the fatality is due to covid-19, it is duly mentioned in the certificate,” he added.
Jain also underlined that the beds that are being occupied in the 4th wave require oxygen and hence the vacant beds in covid care centres are more than the last time. “The demand for oxygen has increased exponentially. Our focus is certainly on maintaining a sufficient supply of it. Nearly 19,000 patients admitted in hospitals require oxygen. We are working round the clock to maintain its supply,” he said.
With the powers being increasingly given to the Lieutenant Governor, Jain said that the Kejriwal government will continue working for the welfare of people of Delhi. “No matter what kind of hindrances come our way, we will keep working for the citizens of Delhi,” he added.
