Delhi recorded around 3,194 cases on Sunday with a test positivity rate of around 4.59 per cent. This is the highest single-day spike in the number of COVID-19 cases since May 20, 2021. The national capital is witnessing a large number of coronavirus cases over the past few days. The sudden surge is being seen after the emergence of the Omicron variant – which has been declared as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organization because of its high transmissibility rate. What is worrying is that it is believed to be more resistant to existing vaccines.
Single-day rise of 17.5 per cent
3,194 cases were reported on Sunday is around a 17.5 per cent rise in daily cases when compared to a day before. Also, 69,650 tests were conducted in the city which means the positivity rate is around 4.59 per cent. There are around 8,397 active cases in Delhi out of which is 307 patients are in hospital. The only solace is that only 4 patients are on ventilators and 94 of them have moderate symptoms are on oxygen support.
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With the positivity rate nearing 5 per cent, Red Alert or Level 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will kick in. According to GRAP, Red Alert will be enforced if the positivity rate goes above five per cent for two consecutive days. Red Alert means there will be a total curfew in the city and only essential activities will be allowed. All shops dealing with non-essential goods, malls, and weekly markets will remain closed under this.
At present, the city has been put under Yellow Alert and the Delhi Government has said it is most likely to continue as the hospital bed occupancy is considerably low. Under Yellow Alert, cinema halls, gyms, and yoga centers are already closed. Delhi Metro is currently operating with 50 per cent capacity but it too will be closed as soon as the city is put under Red Alert.