Coronavirus: Amid Diwali Celebrations, Delhi Records Another Spike In Daily Cases With 7,802 New Infections; Kejriwal Blames Rising Air Pollution

On Friday the national capital recorded an increase in the daily cases with 7802 new Covid-19 cases. CM Arvind Kejriwal has said that rising pollution could be a factor in the resurgence of coronavirus cases.

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Delhi Coronavirus: The national capital New Delhi continues to witness a resurgence in Covid-19 cases with a spike in the total number of daily cases. On Friday, 7802 daily cases were recorded taking the overall total cases to 4,74,830. The daily fatalities reached 91 which was a reduction from the previous day's figure of 104. The total deaths due to coronavirus on Friday was 7,423 cases. A report by PTI says that on Friday the case positivity rate reached 13.80%. Dr. Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, respiratory and critical care medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said in a report by Hindustan Times that there is an increase in the severity of the infection this time. He added that this could be the reason for the rise in the number of deaths. Delhi recorded its highest single-day spike of 8,593 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday. On Thursday, 104 deaths which was the highest number of fatalities in 5 months was recorded. The city had registered 93 deaths on June 16. The report by PTI says that coronavirus cases in Delhi have registered a sudden spike since October 28 when the daily infection breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on Thursday, also for the first time. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has blamed the rising pollution for the spike in Covid-19 cases. He said that the 'biggest reason' behind the spike in Covid-19 cases in Delhi, the chief minister said the situation was under control in the city till October 20. "COVID-19 cases have been increasing for the last few days. I am also concerned about it. We have been taking all the appropriate measures to control it. We are considering taking more steps next week. I think the situation should come under control in seven to 10 days and the cases should start decreasing," he said at a press conference. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has deterioted for weeks now and the CM has blamed stubble burning to be the main reason. Kejriwal said the entire north India reels under the adverse effect of stubble burning in October and November every year. "It has been happening for the last 10 to 12 years, but no concrete step had been taken to find a solution to the problem," he said in the report.