All Covid-positive samples to be sent for genome sequencing: Kejriwal 6 more Omicron cases in Delhi, total 28
Amid Omicron threat, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said all new positive cases of coronavirus being reported in the city will be sent for genome sequencing even as he appealed to the Centre to allow booster dose for health workers and others.
Six new cases of the Omicron variant of Covid have been detected in Delhi on Monday, out of which four are admitted at Max Hospital in Saket.
The Delhi health ministry informed earlier that out of these 28 patients, 12 have been discharged and 16 are undergoing treatment. The total cases of Omicron variant have surged to 28 in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Kejriwal appealed to citizens that there is no need to panic in view of the Omicron variant.
“For the last few days, Covid-19 cases have been increasing in the city. On Sunday, it was over 100. We don’t know what type of Covid cases are these, normal or the Omicron variant. So, to ascertain this, we have now decided to send the samples of all the positive cases for genome sequencing,” Mr Kejriwal said.
The Delhi CM further said that as the national capital is witnessing a sudden spike in the number of cases and 28 patients of Omicron have been found till now, the Centre should allow providing booster doses to people.
He also spoke about strengthening the home isolation system as most new Covid cases will not require hospitalisation. Assuring the people that there is nothing to panic about right now, Mr Kejriwal further said that in view of the Omicron threat, the Delhi government has made adequate arrangements at hospitals if there is any spread of the new Covid variant.
Along with the 107 new cases on Sunday, the city also reported one related death—a first in 10 days. Over 25,000 Covid patients have died so far in Delhi.
Meanwhile on Monday, the city reported 91 new Covid-19 cases and zero deaths while the positivity rate increased to 0.20 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.
With this, the number of Covid cases in Delhi has reached 14,42,288. Over 14.16 lakh patients have recovered from the disease, the bulletin stated. The number of deaths due to Covid-19 stands at 25,101, it said. A total of 46,193 Covid tests, including 43,971 RTPCR tests, were conducted the previous day.