New city cases spike, hit almost 4,000 in a single day

NEW DELHI: The daily count of Covid-19 in Delhi hit another grim milestone with close to 4,000 people testing positive for the disease on Tuesday. The national capital reported 3,947 new cases — its highest single-day tally so far — taking its total caseload to 66,602.


Of the total number of cases, data shared by the state health department shows that 45,768 (69%) have been reported in the past 23 days, from June 1 to June 23. "The disease is spreading very fast. The government agencies are doing everything possible to check it, but if people do not act more responsibly in following social-distancing norms and wear masks while going out, things cannot improve anytime soon," said a senior health official who did not wish to be quoted.

In many areas of Delhi, the official pointed out, direct contacts of coronavirus patients who ought to isolate themselves were going out and mixing with people if they didn’t have symptoms of the disease. "People must realise their responsibility. We need their active participation in controlling the outbreak," said another health official.

For the past one week, more than 50 people are dying daily due to Covid-19 in Delhi. Due to this, the death toll in Delhi has mounted to 2,301, up from 523 reported till June 1.

"After Maharashtra, where 6,283 people have been confirmed dead, Delhi has the highest fatality due to the disease. A majority of the deceased include elderly people and those with co-morbidities," said officials. The government recently stepped up testing and surveillance to identify those at high-risk for developing complications due to Covid-19.

An order has been issued for posting of senior nursing officers at 68 private hospitals for monitoring admissions of coronavirus patients. It has also been decided that all mild or asymptomatic cases who do not have the facility of a separate room and toilet will be transferred to a Covid care centre while those with moderate-to-severe illness will be transferred to hospitals.

According to the SOP for management of Covid-19 patients prepared by the state health department, persons with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and compromised immunity shall be kept in institutional quarantine, regardless of the severity of symptoms because they are most vulnerable and may develop serious complications.