Delhi cases below 10K, Kejri warns against any laxity
■ ‘Upbringing and education of children orphaned by Covid govt’s responsibility’
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said Friday the national capital has seen less than 10,000 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, but warned against any laxity, for then cases would rise again.
“I want to share some good news. In the last 24 hours, Delhi had less than 10K Covid-19 cases,” he said at a virtual press conference.
“But if we become careless again and stop following social distancing norms and guidelines, cases can increase. We are arranging for more oxygen beds, buying oxygen cylinders and are setting up new ICU beds. If cases increase, we should be prepared,” he added.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the national capital has registered less than 10,000 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. “I want to share a good news with you all. In the last 24 hours, Delhi has registered less than 10K Covid-19 cases,” he added. Adding a personal touch, he assured the young children of those who had died of Covid that his government would take care of them.
In a virtual press conference, Kejriwal also said that the Delhi government will extend financial help to families which have lost their earning members to the coronavirus and also bear the cost of education and upbringing of children orphaned by the pandemic.
But the fight against the coronavirus has not ended and there is no room for leniency, the chief minister said in an online press conference. “I know many children who have lost both their parents. I want to tell them that I am still there. Do not consider yourself an orphan. The government will take care of their studies and upbringing,” Kejriwal said.
Over the past month, children welfare bodies and helplines have come across several cases where children have been left orphaned. In many other cases, the earning member of the family has died.
Kejriwal said, “We have seen very painful days recently. Many families saw more than one death. Many children lost both parents. I want to tell them that I understand their pain and am standing in support. Every child who has lost their parents will be educated. The cost of their education and upbringing will be borne by the government. I ask neighbours and families to take care of them too. There are parents who have lost children, and families who have lost their earning member. We will take care of them.”
Around 3,000 beds for coronavirus patients have become available in the last 10 days. However, ICU beds remain almost full, Kejriwal said.
Mr Kejriwal cautioned against laxity. “If we become careless again and stop following social distancing norms and guidelines, cases can increase again. We are making arrangements for more oxygen beds, are buying oxygen cylinders and are setting up new ICU beds. If cases increase again, we should be prepared,” he said.