Delhi is facing an unprecedented challenge arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Mr Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday. In a digital press briefing, Mr Kejriwal said that Hon’ble LG Anil Baijal’s decision which overturned Delhi government’s decision to reserve Delhi hospitals for people from the state would be respected and implemented. He asserted that this is not the time for disagreements. He Mr Kejriwal also said that for everyone’s safety, promoting social distancing and usage of masks has to be a people’s movement just like the odd-even scheme. The Delhi Chief Minister observed that this is an unprecedented and a huge challenge but the government will do their best to ensure all the necessary arrangements.
*My COVID-19 test has come negative; want to thank all for your prayers and support: CM Arvind Kejriwal*
Addressing a digital press briefing Mr Kejriwal said, “I was suffering from a mild sore throat and fever from the last two days. Looking at the symptoms doctors suggested going for a COVID-19 test as a precautionary measure. I underwent the test yesterday. During this time many people have wished me for good health, sent their prayers and by the grace of God, the test result has come negative. I isolated myself in one room, my body was inside the four walls but in my mind, I was planning about boosting the health infrastructure of Delhi.”
*Right now Delhi has 31,000 cases, 12,000 patients have recovered, 18,000 are active cases, nearly 900 have died due to COVID-19: CM*
He said that right now in Delhi, there are around 31,000 cases, 12,000 patients have recovered, 18,000 are active cases, nearly 900 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 and out of 18,000 active cases nearly 15,000 people are in home isolation.
*By July 31, 5.5 lakh cases are expected and 80,000 beds will be required: CM*
“Yesterday, there was a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority. I was supposed to attain the meeting but could not due to health, therefore, Hon’ble Deputy CM Mr Manish Sisodia and other Hon’ble ministers were present in the meeting. They submitted the projection of COVID-19 cases in Delhi and the report has noted that in the coming days the number of cases will increase significantly. The report observed that by June 15, there’ll be 44,000 COVID-19 cases and 6,600 beds will be required. By June 30, we’ll reach one lakh cases and 15,000 beds will be required. By July 15, there’ll be 2.25 lakh cases and 33,000 beds will be required. By July 31, 5.5 lakh cases are expected and 80,000 beds will be required,” said the Delhi Chief Minister.
*We have to transform our battle against COVID-19 to a people’s movement: CM*
Mr Kejriwal said that now the citizens will have to fight the COVID-19 like a people’s movement. “We all have to ensure social distancing, wearing masks and washing our hands. We all have to also ensure that if someone is not following these norms then we have to tell them. Just the way we all worked together in the time of odd-even, this time also we need to transform this battle into a people’s movement,” he said.
*Hon’ble LG’s directives will be implemented in letter and spirit, this is not the time for disagreements: CM*
“On Sunday the Delhi Cabinet decided that the Delhi government and private hospitals of Delhi will be reserved only for the citizens of Delhi till the time the COVID-19 pandemic is here. But on Monday the Hon’ble LG and Central government overruled the decision. I heard that many people are saying that the Hon’ble LG and the Centre cannot overrule the decision of the elected government like this. Just some month back election took place in Delhi and we won by getting 62 out 70 seats. But I want to give the message to everyone in our party and the government that this is not the time of a standoff between state and Center. Hon’ble LG’s directives will be implemented in letter and spirit, this is not the time for disagreements or arguments. Delhi government will follow the decision taken by the Centre and implement the orders of the Hon’ble LG. This is an unprecedented situation and a challenging situation too but we will do our best,” said Mr Kejriwal.”
*By July 15 there will be a requirement of 65,000 beds & by July 31 will need 1.5 lakh beds if the patients from outside come: CM*
“We do not know how many patients might come from outside but at any given time before the pandemic, nearly 50% of patients in Delhi hospitals used to come from outside. This means that by July 15 there will be a requirement of 65,000 beds in Delhi for the patients of both Delhi and outside. Similarly, by July 31 we will need around 1.5 lakh beds if patients from outside come to Delhi for treatment,” said the Delhi Chief Minister.
*I will start going to the ground to personally inspect and prepare stadiums, hotels and banquet halls for the patients of COVID-19: CM*
He said that arranging such a huge number of beds is not an easy task but the Delhi government will do their best. “This a work for the people and we all will do our best. From the day after tomorrow, I will start going to the ground to personally inspect and prepare stadiums, hotels and banquet halls for the patients of COVID-19. This is an unprecedented and huge challenge and one of the biggest challenges in the history of mankind. There can be shortfalls from our side but there will not be any shortfall in our willingness and preparedness.”
*I would urge neighbouring states to help and create more facilities in their states. This is not to blame anyone: CM*
The Delhi Chief Minister also urged the authorities of the neighbouring states to create more facilities in their states so that lesser patients come to Delhi.” I would urge neighbouring states to help create more facilities in their states so that lesser people come from these states. This is not to blame anyone and I am confident that all the states are trying their best,” he said.
*I want to salute the media organisation for their relentless work, we are not perfect but trying our best: CM*
“I want to salute the media organisation for their relentless work. They found out various shortfalls in our Corona app and we are working on these issues. If there are any other issues I would request the media to bring out those points and we will immediately work on those issues. I have seen on the channels that so many people complain that they are not getting admission in the hospitals. The channels at a time can only show 15-20 people but the actual number of people who are suffering is much higher. In the last 8 days around 1,900 people have got admitted in Delhi hospitals. Today around 4,200 beds are empty but these are mostly in government hospitals and the beds in private hospitals are mostly full but we are arranging more beds. In the last 8 days maybe around 1,500 have faced difficulties in getting beds. When we get the information through media on patients’ suffering my team immediately start working on the redressal. We also try to find out the shortfalls in our system. I admit that there is a shortfall and we are not perfect. There is a need to improve the system. But not everything is bad as well because the doctors, nurses and other officials are working round the clock. I will request the media to inform us if they find any patient who is suffering and we will ensure every help,” said Mr Kejrwal.
*This is not the time to do politics and we need to fight together: CM*
He also said that this is not the time to do politics. “I keep witnessing that all the political parties are fighting with each other. BJP, Congress and AAP are blaming each other. I want to tell them all that this is not the time to fight and to do politics. If we keep fighting then the Corona will win. A person who is suffering keeps thinking that these parties are fighting between each other and no one is thinking about me. This battle is a huge challenge and we all need to come together to fight against this pandemic. All the authorities, states, parties, NGOs, religious organisations, doctors, nurses, officials and people will need to fight together,” said the Delhi CM.
