Hospitalisation Rate Has Stablisied, Covid Cases Plateaued: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said Wednesday that Covid-19 cases seem to have stabilised in the national capital. He said that Covid positivity rate cannot determine if cases have peaked or not

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said that Covid-19 cases seem to have stabilised in the national capital. The Minister said in a press briefing, "It seems like Covid cases have stabilised in Delhi, soon we will see a decline."

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain also hinted at the possibility of some relief in restrictions in Delhi. "If Covid cases come down in 2-3 days, restrictions will be lifted. Delhi likely to see around 25,000 cases today," the Minister added.

"Covid-19 cases have started coming down in Mumbai, we will soon see the same trend in Delhi," he added.

Covid Positivity Rate Cannot Determine If Cases Have Peaked Or Not: Jain

Jain said that Covid positivity rate cannot determine if cases have peaked or not. "The hospitalisation rate has stabilised, and cases have plateaued," he said.

The minister said that the number of Covid cases in Delhi continues to be above 20,000. "But the positivity rate is stagnant at around 25 per cent which is a good sign," he said.

"Hospital admission rate has not risen in the past 4-5 days, if it continues, there will be some relief in restrictions,' the minister added. 

Delhi recorded 546 Omicron cases on Tuesday.

Delhi mandated work from home in private offices, excepting people belonging to the exempted category.

As many as 21, 259 new cases and 23 fatalities were reported in Delhi on Tuesday. This marks the highest number of deaths in the national capital since June 16, 2021. 

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written a letter to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories asking them to take immediate measures to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at health facilities, ANI reported. 

In his letter dated January 11, Bhushan has said that states and Union Territories should have a buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at least 48 hours at health facilities providing in-patient care. He has asked to ensure the proper functioning of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants and the availability of sufficient oxygen concentrators.