Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said on Thursday that the Union Territory is gearing up for handling up to 1 lakh COVID cases on daily basis if the situation becomes worse.
“The government’s current capacity is to handle 1,000 cases daily but we are extending the capacity to 1 lakh everyday in view of the growing Omicron scare,” Kejriwal said at a virtual press conference.
The government will also increase the daily COVID testing capacity from around 60,000 to 70,00 at the moment, to 3 lakh per day if required.
“As soon as someone tests positive, a phone call will be made to the person and the next day, a medical team will visit the person to provide him a kit containing medicines and other items. The patients in home isolation will be counselled by the doctors for 10 days,” the Chief Minister said.
Kejriwal said the new Omicron variant is characterised by a fast spread and mild infection. “Since Omicron infection does not require hospitalisation in most cases, the home-isolation module is being strengthened in the city,” he said, adding: “If there are symptoms, we will try to treat patients at home in their comfort. We are developing a strong home-isolation model.”
The Chief Minister earlier urged the Central government to allow for the booster COVID vaccine shots to those who have taken their first two doses. He also said that the 99 per cent population in Delhi had been administered the first dose of the COVID vaccine.
