'Delhi govt well prepared to counter 'Omicron' no need to panic', says CM Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi:The Delhi Government has remained steadfast in its preparations with regards to the COVID pandemic. Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has personally taken charge of the situation and is ensuring that adequate oxygen, beds, equipment & medicines are arranged as and when needed.

The Chief Minister addressed the COVID situation and said that there is no need to get stressed or panic, and the Delhi Government prepared to protect the state against Omicron. The CM said that he is constantly monitoring the situation and progress being made to deal with the possible threat of the spread. He requested the residents of Delhi to keep doing their part — continue social distancing and never step out without wearing a mask.

Personally monitoring the COVID situation: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Addressing the COVID scare, Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has now entered India. We are constantly receiving news regarding patients being found in this region, that region, and even in Delhi. However, I would like to tell everyone that there is no need to panic or lose sleep over it. I am constantly monitoring the situation and progress being made to deal with the possible threat of the spread of Omicron.”

No need to get stressed or panic, Delhi Government prepared to protect the state: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Mentioning the Delhi Government’s preparations in case of any spread, the CM said, “I held a review meeting last week as well in relation to this, where we took account of all the necessary health facilities and their status, from beds to oxygen to medicines and all other necessary equipment. We are prepared to provide all this and other required material in sufficient quantity and on time. So there’s no need to get stressed or panic. But keep doing your part – continue social distancing and never step out without wearing a mask.”

Delhi prepared to tackle any possible spread of new COVID variant

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal had earlier chaired a high-level meeting with all concerned authorities on 30th November 2021 to review the state’s preparedness against Covid. Among growing concerns about the new variant and its probable threat, the status of health facilities was addressed and orders were issued to increase these. Plans were carved for health services - beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccines - to reach every ward and every single person in Delhi. It has been assessed that 30,000 COVID beds are ready in Delhi, with 100 beds per ward to be arranged as and when required on a 2 week notice taking the total bed capacity of Delhi to over 64,000 beds. Additionally, 6,800 ICUs will also be ready very soon. Medicine stocks are currently being added, and home isolation arrangements are being strengthened. Oxygen supply & storage is being bolstered, with extra storage facilities of 442 MT, and production of 121 MT oxygen within Delhi. Additionally, telemetry devices to provide real time oxygen tracking are being installed in all oxygen facilities. 6,000 oxygen cylinders have been imported and 15 oxygen tankers bought to prevent oxygen shortage. So far, around 93% Delhiites have received the first dose of the vaccine, and 57% are fully vaccinated. The Delhi Government has issued a Covid helpline number – 1031, to help Covid patients during any problem. This helpline number works 24x7. It employs employees in three shifts, who can attend 600 to 700 calls.

Specialist doctors will also be able to treat Covid patients if needed

The Delhi Government is also focusing on increasing manpower for Covid management, so that if the rate of infection picks up, there is no shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedic staff. For this, the Delhi government has given special training in Covid Management to medical students, nurses and paramedical staff along with specialist doctors. The government has trained a total of 15,370 healthcare workers which includes 4,673 doctors, 1,707 medical students, 6,265 nurses and 2,726 paramedics. They have been given training in oxygen therapy, Covid Management, Paediatric Ward Covid Management.

Five thousand health assistants also roped in

The Delhi government has also roped in five thousand health assistants. Health assistants have been given basic training in nursing, paramedics, home care, blood pressure measurement, vaccination etc. Health assistants will work as assistants to doctors and nurses and will not be able to take decisions on their own. With their help, doctors will be able to work more efficiently and patients will also be taken care of very well.

Adequate supply of medicines and equipment being ensured

Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal directed the officers that there should be no shortage of medicines and equipment. He said that the purchase of essential medicines and equipment should be completed beforehand from now on. 32 medicines have been identified by the committee constituted by the Delhi Government and it has been mandated to maintain the buffer stock of these medicines for 60 days. In addition, 8 drugs have been identified by the Central Government and as per their recommendations, it is necessary to maintain the buffer stock of these medicines for 30 days. Similarly, the demand for equipment will increase as beds increase. In view of this, the process of procurement has been started after identifying those equipment.

Medical oxygen infrastructure being rapidly ramped up by the Delhi Government

The Delhi Government is rapidly ramping up its medical oxygen infrastructure to be prepared for higher demands whenever needed. In this direction, the government is actively working upon increasing LMO capacity, increasing PSA capacity, augmenting refilling capacities for cylinders, procuring tankers and installing telemetry devices.

All oxygen storage facilities to get telemetry equipment; levels to be tracked in real time on the dashboard

The CM has directed officials to ensure that telemetry equipment is installed in each oxygen storage facility no matter how small or large it may be. The CM has said that with the installation of such devices, there will be real time data available on the dashboard with regard to oxygen levels. This will help the authorities track the status of oxygen in each facility in order for the supply chain to be fully prepared.

Oxygen capacity of Delhi increased significantly by the Kejriwal Government

The Kejriwal Government has significantly increased the oxygen capacity of Delhi. In terms of liquid medical oxygen Delhi now has 790 MT of storage capacity. Beyond that, an LMO buffer reserve of 442 MT has been established in the state as well. Apart from this, the PSA capacity of Delhi too has been ramped up to 121.37 MT.  The capacity of oxygen cylinders with medical institutions itself has been taken up to 217 MT. Additionally, 6,000 D type cylinders have been placed in reserve for emergency use. Previously, the oxygen refilling capacity of Delhi was limited to 1,500 cylinders a day, now, 2 cryogenic plants with an installed capacity of 12.5 MT will be able to refill an additional 1,400 jumbo cylinders every day.

Home isolation system will be further strengthened

The Delhi Government will further strengthen its home isolation system. Patients with mild symptoms of Corona are being treated at home in Delhi. For this, the Delhi government has made a strong system under which, the team of doctors constituted by the Delhi government for the patients undergoing treatment in home isolation, gets health related information recorded by calling them every morning and evening. During this, the patients and the caregiver are given information about what safety measures are to be adopted. If the patient's health gets serious, then the doctor shifts them to a hospital.

Help can be taken through the Covid helpline number 1031

Delhi Government has issued a Covid helpline number — 1031, to help Covid patients during any problem. This helpline number works 24x7. It employs employees in three shifts, who can attend 600 to 700 calls. If there is an increase in the call number, the number of employees will be increased. By calling the helpline number, one can get oxygen cylinders, tele-consultation, pulse oximeters, medicine kits, vaccination information and information on availability of hospital beds, home isolation, ambulance services and tests.