Amid Uptick In Covid Cases, Delhi To Provide Free Precaution Doses At Govt Hospitals Soon

Delhi on Covid19: The move comes as the national capital registers a rise coronavirus cases and positivity rate.

A health worker inoculates a person with a Covid-19 vaccine dose (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Amid an uptick in Covid-19 cases following a lull, the Delhi government on Friday said booster doses would soon be provided free of cost to people at its hospitals, PTI reported.

"Precaution doses of the same vaccine will be given to the people who have revived the first and second doses of the vaccine and who have completed nine months of taking their second dose," a government statement said.

On Thursday, 325 new Covid-19 cases were recorded, highest in 40 days. The positivity rate stood at 2.39 per cent.

READ | Delhi Saw 48% Rise In Home Isolation Covid Cases In Last One Week: Report

The Centre rolled out precaution dose of Covid-19 vaccines for all adults at private centres on Sunday. Those who have completed nine months after the second dose are eligible for it. 

Both Covishield and Covaxin doses now cost Rs 225, and private vaccination centres can charge up to a maximum of Rs 150 per shot as service fee over and above this cost, the government said.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain has advised all hospitals in Delhi to remain alert in view of the rise in coronavirus cases. 

"Hospital admissions are not increasing, so there is no need to panic. Nothing to worry about as of now," Health Minister Jain was quoted as saying in a statement.

Satyendar Jain also said the Delhi government was conducting contact-tracing of patients to prevent the spread of infection.

"Prevention is better than cure. All those who have not yet taken the vaccine or have taken only the first dose, should be taken to their nearest health facility as soon as possible for complete vaccination," he further said.

On concerns over the XE Covid variant, Jain said it has not been included in the list of "Variants of Concern" by the World Health Organisation and there was no need to panic.

"If the infection spreads, the government has planned to increase 100 oxygen beds in every ward of Delhi within two weeks. In such a situation, the Delhi government plans to prepare 65,000 beds, so that no person has to face shortage of beds in an emergency situation," said the government statement.

(With PTI inputs)