Kejriwal promises financial help to families that lost earning members
What's the story
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Delhi government will extend financial help to families which have lost their earning members to COVID-19 and also bear the educational cost and upbringing of children orphaned by the pandemic. He also said the number of fresh COVID-19 cases has come down to around 8,500 and the positivity rate has dipped to around 12 percent.
Children
Government will take care of orphaned children: Kejriwal
But the fight against the coronavirus has not ended and there is no room for leniency, the chief minister said in an online press conference. "I know many children who have lost both their parents. I want to tell them that I am still there. Do not consider yourself an orphan. The government will take care of their studies and upbringing," Kejriwal said.
Beds
Around 3,000 beds for coronavirus patients have become available
"I know elderly citizens who have lost their children. They depended on their earnings. I want to tell them that their son (Kejriwal) is alive. The government will help all such families who have lost their earning members," the chief minister said. Around 3,000 beds for coronavirus patients have become available in the last 10 days. However, ICU beds remain almost full, Kejriwal said.
Preparation
'We have to take number of COVID-19 cases to zero'
"We have been working in this direction. Around 1,200 more ICU beds are being prepared. More oxygen beds are being added and oxygen cylinders being procured," he said. "We have to take the number of cases to zero. We cannot be at ease... have to strictly follow the lockdown," the chief minister said.
Condition
Delhi reported 10,489 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday
The national capital had reported 10,489 new cases and 308 more fatalities on Thursday while the positivity rate stood at 14.24 percent, according to the health department. According to a study conducted by the Delhi-based Institute of Perception Studies, over 100 journalists have died due to COVID-19 between April 1, 2020, and April 28, 2021.