Delhi govt increases ICU beds as cases cross 1 lakh-mark

Even as Delhi crossed the 1-lakh mark in COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (July 6) assured people that there was no need to panic and that administrations is taking every effort to increase ICU beds to accommodate more patients.

“We are increasing ICU capacity today from 45 beds to 200 beds for Corona treatment,” he tweeted after supervising preparedness at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

He also announced the government’s decision to increase ICU beds in Lok Nayak Hospital to 180 from 60.

“Till a few days back, LNJP had 60 ICU beds and Rajiv Gandhi hospital had 45 ICU beds. They have been increased to 180 and 200 respectively. After making sufficient arrangements for COVID hospital beds, Govt is now making all efforts to increase ICU beds,” he tweeted.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister had urged people not to panic due to the increase in cases.

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“COVID-19 cases have crossed 1 lakh-mark in Delhi, but there is no need to panic as around 72,000 people have also recovered,” he said in a virtual press meet.

He 15,000 of 25,000 active patients are being treated at home, while the death rate has come down.

Stressing on the efficacy of plasma therapy in helping improve condition of patients, he urged recovered COVID-19 patients to donate blood plasma.

“Less and less people in Delhi are now requiring hospitalisation, more and more people are getting cured at home. Whereas there were around 2,300 new patients daily last week, the number of patients in hospitals has gone down from 6,200 to 5,300. Today, 9,900 corona beds are free,” he tweeted.

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“The number of people who need plasma is more than those coming forward to donate it. I urge all those who are eligible to come forward and donate plasma. It will not cause any pain or weakness. Those donating plasma are doing selfless service to society,” Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

India has overtaken Russia in being the third-most COVID-19-affected country with a tally of 6,97,413 cases and 19,693 deaths.