Positive cases fall below 500 in Delhi, Positivity rate at an all time low: Health Minister

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said that for the first time, positive cases were less than 500, and the positivity rate was on a continuous decline. The outbreak in Delhi is quite contained but it is still advisable to wear a mask and follow all precautions. 

For the first time in the last 7 and a half months, the number of cases has gone below 500. After 17 May 2020, this is the lowest number of cases. Positivity rate has fallen to 0.73% implying that in every 1000 tests conducted, 7 positive cases are detected.

 Testing is still being conducted on a large scale. The outbreak in Delhi is quite contained, but I will still urge you all to wear a mask and follow all the proper precautions. In the last 1 and a half months, Delhiites have diligently followed all the instructions and it is because of their continued support that we have been able to achieve this state.” Hon’ble Minister said. 

Responding to the query surrounding the approval of vaccine by DGCI, Shri Satyendar Jain said,

“We have just been made aware that the vaccines developed by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India have been given approval. Delhi Government is making all the arrangements. The protocol will be that health care and frontline workers, people over 50 years of age or with co-morbidity will be injected in the first phase of the roll-out. Delhi has 3 lac healthcare workers, and 6lac frontline workers. The vaccine will be first rolled out to these 9 lac people. “

Commenting on the protocol that will be followed for the roll-out of the vaccine now that DGCI has given an approval, he said that in the first phase, healthcare and frontline workers, people over 50+ age or with co-morbidity will be injected. In the first phase, 500-600 covid centres will be made which will be further escalated to 1000.

 The Minister said that even after de-escalation of covid beds, there will still 10,500-11,000 available. As far as the shutting down of covid centres is concerned, the Delhi Government is treading very cautiously and is not making decisions in a haste. He said it was better to remain on the safer side.