Omicron Scare | Delhi Expects Covid Positivity Rate Rising To 8.5%, Says Health Minister Satyendar Jain

Delhi reported 4,099 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24 hours according to a health department advisory issued on Monday.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Things look grim for Delhi as state Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday stated that the national capital is anticipating a daily covid positive rate at around 8.5 percent. This exceeds the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Red Alert limit of 5%. On Monday, the national capital's positivity rate was at 6.46 percent 

"Today, Delhi is expected to report 5500 COVID cases, with the positivity rate rising to 8.5%," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told media persons on Tuesday.

Following the development of the Omicron variant, Delhi has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases over the previous two weeks.

The city reported 4,099 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24 hours according to a health department advisory issued on Monday. In the previous 24 hours, Delhi has also had one COVID-related fatality, bringing the total death toll to 25,100.

Weekend Curfew Imposed By DDMA To Curb Covid-19 Spread

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to implement a weekend curfew in the national capital due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Following today's DDMA meeting, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that buses and metro trains will once again run at full seating capacity to reduce crowding outside metro stations and bus stops.

"The DDMA has decided to impose a curfew in Delhi on Saturdays and Sundays to curb COVID-19 surge. All government officials except for those engaged in essential services will work from home. 50 percent workforce of private offices will work from home," he said. According to Sisodia, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on the rise.

"Delhi has reported around 11,000 positive cases in the past 8-10 days, of which around 350 patients are in hospital, only 124 patients need oxygen and 7 are on a ventilator," he added.