Banquets, Hotels to be linked with hospitals as Covid centres: Delhi Health Minister

In the midst of an increase in Covid cases in the national capital, Delhi's Health Minister, Satyendra Jain, on Wednesday, said that the city is planning to add more Covid beds. The minister further claimed that banquets and hotels would be included as covid centres.

"We have 13,000 beds, and there are plenty of ventilators. Patients are being admitted from Delhi and other states. The Centre has given 1,100 beds and has held discussions on (to add more). 286 of the 5525 Covid care centres are complete. Banquets and hotels will be added shortly," Delhi Health Minister explained.

He also urged the public to go out only when absolutely necessary, citing the rapid increase in covid reports. "Covid cases are increasingly increasing; there is no sign of a slowdown. We urge people to go out only when absolutely necessary. The app's data on beds is updated twice daily (for availability). People can only visit hospitals after using the app," he added.

On Tuesday, Delhi announced 13,468 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, the largest single-day increase since the pandemic.

In view of surge in #COVID19 cases & in order to augment COVID hospital bed capacity, these hotels are to be linked to hospitals mentioned against their names for converting them into extended COVID hospitals: Delhi Govt pic.twitter.com/nUnzzFtfaP

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has stated that this wave is extremely dangerous and that in the last 10-15 days, 65% of patients infected with Covid-19 are under the age of 45. "This wave is extremely dangerous. According to data from the last 10-15 days, 65% of patients are under the age of 45. We care deeply for your health and well-being. So, I'd like to encourage young people to leave the house only when absolutely appropriate and to adhere to all COVID protocols" Delhi's chief minister said.

The Delhi government has enforced a night curfew in the national capital from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on April 6 until April 30 due to the rapid increase in cases.