Over 5 lakh cases expected in Delhi by July 31: AAP
New Delhi : Delhi will have more than 5 lakh cases of coronavirus infections by July 31 this year if doubling rate remains what it is now, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, predicting huge demands of hospital beds in near future. Manish Sisodia's statement came a day after Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal scrapped Delhi Government's decision to reserve hospital beds for the residents only.
As per current figures, the coronavirus cases are doubling in every 12-13 days; and if it continues till July Delhi will be having around 5.5 lakh cases of coronavirus, Sisodia said after a meeting today with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and top central officials.
"5.5 lakh COVID-19 cases are expected in Delhi by July 31. We will need 80,000 beds by then," he told reporters.
As per Delhi government's predictions, the national capital is likely to have 44,000 cases by June 15, one lakh cases by 30 June and 2.25 lakh cases by July 15.
Delhi Deputy CM informed reporters that he has urged LG to reconsider his decision of reversing Delhi Government's order. Mr Baijal refused to reconsider his decision and it was not taken up in the meeting, he said.
Manish Sisodia claimed that 50 per cent of the beds in Delhi hospitals are mostly occupied by the patients who have come from outside.
"Now we see that there might be a situation that 80,000 beds would be needed by end of July - that too only for residents of Delhi, not outsiders... so where will this come from? What is being done about it," the Deputy Chief Minister questioned.
"We brought up this scenario during today's meeting but nothing was discussed. We feel the only way beds may be available is if all other planned medical procedures can be put on hold for a later date and the focus is on COVID-19... we are still thinking what needs to be done."
