Kejriwal urges Centre to reserve 70 pc beds in govt hospitals for Covid patients

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he has again urged the Centre to reserve at least 7,000 of 10,000 beds in the Central government hospitals for Covid patients as less than 100 ICU beds are now left in the national capital due to a drastic rise in the fresh cases.

“A large number of patients are being admitted to hospitals and we are falling short of ICU beds. In Delhi, we are now left with less than 100 ICU beds,” Mr Kejriwal said in a digital press conference.

The Central government hospitals have around 10,000 beds in Delhi out of which 1,800 are Covid beds, the chief minister said, and appealed the Centre to reserve at least 7,000 beds for Covid patients.

Mr Kejriwal said in the last 24 hours, approximately 25,500 cases of COVID have been registered, bringing the positivity rate to nearly 30 per cent, a sign of worry.

“Currently, the cases are increasing rapidly. Another concern is that in the last 24 hours, the positivity rate has increased to 30 per cent. This is despite the fact that it was around 24 per cent the day before,” Mr Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier in the day, informing him of the dire need for beds and oxygen in Delhi.

Mr Kejriwal said he had also informed Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan of the same yesterday. He added that within 2-3 days, the Delhi government will set up more than 6,000 oxygen beds and will arrange more high flow oxygen beds in the city.

“As I have said, we are short of ICU beds. There is a limit under which we can increase the number of ICU beds as it is. It has been noted that maximum patients require high flow oxygen. Hence, we are trying to provide high flow oxygen in hospitals so that more such beds can be set up,” he said.

“In the next few days, we will provide for an additional 6,000 beds in Yamuna Sports Complex and Commonwealth Games Complex. Radha Soami Satsang Beas Centre will be reopened. Beds are also being set up in many schools that are being attached to hospitals,” Mr Kejriwal said. (UNI)