Night curfew imposed as people were organizing parties: Jain
What's the story
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said night curfew was imposed in Delhi following reports that parties and social gatherings were being organized in various parts of the city at a time when COVID-19 cases have surged. He also feared that if the positivity rate escalated and safety norms were not followed by people, new cases could breach the last single-day spike record.
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Government trying to contain incidences as effectively as possible: Jain
The last single-day spike record was registered in November last year. However, the minister added that it will be too early to speculate on that as of now, and government efforts are to contain incidences as effectively as possible.
Curfew
Delhi government has imposed a night curfew till April 30
Jain's remarks on the pandemic situation came a day after the Delhi government imposed a night curfew in the city from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the city recorded 5,100 fresh cases on Tuesday, while 17 more people succumbed to the infection taking the death toll to 11,113, according to the Delhi health department.
COVID-19 tests
Over one lakh tests were conducted on Monday
A record, over one lakh tests were conducted on Monday, and the positivity rate on Tuesday stood at 4.93 percent. "We took the decision to impose a night curfew as reports were coming about parties and gatherings being held in various parts of Delhi. Given the situation, one person can spread the infection to others and then on to more people," Jain said.
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Various exemptions have been given: Jain
"However, it is not a harsh step and there are various categories of exemption," he said, adding that restaurants in the city usually operate till 11 pm, so in view of public safety, they have to close only one hour early.
Government
Government keeping a close watch on the pandemic situation: Jain
Asked about the efficacy of night curfew in curbing cases, he said, "Let's wait and watch." On e-passes procurement issues faced by people, Jain said, "It is a teething problem and should be sorted soon." Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, Jain on Tuesday had said the city government was alert to the pandemic situation and keeping a "close watch" on it.
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Vaccination should be opened to all adults: Jain
He reiterated his demand that vaccination should be made open to all adults, except those who are not medically compliant with inoculation norms against COVID-19. Asked about an IPL match due in Delhi on April 29, he said, "The matter has been taken into cognizance."
Vaccine
2,000 beds escalated in last few days at various hospitals
"About 2,000 beds have been escalated in the last few days at various hospitals, and another 2,000-2,500 beds will be added in the next couple of days," the minister said. "Over 84,000 people were vaccinated in Delhi on Tuesday till 10 pm, out of which 21,388 got the shots at private hospitals and 62,825 received the jabs at government hospitals," Jain said.
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Alert and cautious about Delhi's trend of cases: Jain
"The case trend needs to be monitored, and we are keeping a close watch on it. Currently, the positivity rate has crossed the five percent mark for the entire country. However, in Delhi, we are alert and are being cautious," Jain had said on Monday.