The Delhi government has directed all the private hospitals having bed strength of 50 beds or more to reserve at least 80 percent of their total ICU bed strength for Covid-19 patients.
Delhi recorded 28 deaths in the last 24 hours which brings down the mortality rate of the last ten days in Delhi to about 0.68 per cent when compared to the general average of 2.23 per cent, he said, adding that considering an increase in cases since the last few days, the health department has ordered 33 hospitals to reserve 80 per cent of the total ICU beds available for COVID-19 patients.
In a video conference with 33 private hospitals, Jain had discussed reserving more beds in their ICUs.
Jain added, "If non-covid patients are already admitted in some hospitals, once discharged, the vacant beds will be reserved for COVID patients only." He further reiterated that the hospitals in Delhi that are treating COVID-19 patients are allowed to increase their bed capacity up to 30% which shall only be used to COVID-19 patients.
Jain added that the order is relevant only for private hospitals and to ensure more bed capacity in their ICUs is available so that the demand for ICU beds for COVID-19 patients can be met. The Cabinet minister added that 14372 beds are present in total out of which 7938 are still vacant and the current order is regarding ICU beds only in private hospitals and there are ample beds available in Government hospitals. Jain also said that the best way to protect oneself against COVID-19 is the use of masks and the practice of social distancing norms and urged the citizens to be more careful in public and crowded areas.
Responding to a question, Jain said " We have got a lot of experience to prevent corona infection such as to wear masks to avoid infection to a great extent and to adhere to social distancing among others”.
“In the last days, some people had stopped putting masks, and again a campaign was being planned and carried out. The Chief Minister himself is making all citizens aware. Messages are also being given via FM and IVR etc. We are telling the Delhi residents through every means that if you are stepping out of the house, you must wear masks," he said.
Jain said, "There is no separate data of people coming from outside but those who are coming from outside are also being found infected. We hope that after 10 to 15 days, the cases will come down”.
“There has been no case of reinfection in Delhi. It has happened that if you are infected with COVID and your test is negative in 10 to 12 days, you cannot infect others but the virus can remain in your body,” he said. Jain further said “We have been advised that the more tests we conduct, the more it will help to stop Corona. If you are corona positive and you do not have symptoms, you can isolate yourself and you will not infect anyone. A large number of tests are being carried out. This is showing a surge in cases, but will greatly help in controlling the corona”.