Covid Cases Rising, But Don't Panic, Hospitalisation Low: Arvind Kejriwal

COVID-19: Delhi has also reported the second-highest cases of the highly transmissible Omicron strain after Maharashtra

Do not panic. This was the major focus of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's address today as the national capital saw a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases. The city has also reported the second-highest cases of the highly transmissible Omicron strain after Maharashtra.

"COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly in Delhi, but there is no need to panic. Currently, the active cases in the city are 6,360. Today, 3,100 new cases are expected. Only 246 hospital beds were occupied yesterday and all the cases are mild and asymptomatic," Mr Kejriwal said, adding data shows that the impact of the rise in cases is far lesser than what it was during the second wave.

"As of now, only 82 oxygen beds in hospitals are occupied. Delhi government is prepared will 37,000 beds. I just want to tell you that all new cases are with mild symptoms, asymptomatic, so there is no need to panic," the Chief Minister said.

Mr Kejriwal, however, cautioned people not to drop their guard as active cases rose from around 2,000 on December 29 to 6,000 on January 1. During this period, the number of hospitalisation fell, which is a good indication that it is not as severe as the second wave, the Chief Minister said.