City sees highest single-day spike with 1,106 cases

Death toll 398, 82 fatalities in 24 hours

The national capital reported the highest single day spike of 1,106 cases and 82 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, said that more than 80 per cent positive cases have mild or no symptoms and emphasised on the need for home quarantine for such patients.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that the total death toll has increased by 82 in the last 24 hours owing to inclusion of 69 deaths that were reported late.

“13 deaths took place on Friday while the remaining 69 took place in the last 34 days and were reported late. The total deaths due to Covid-19 in Delhi have mounted to 398 so far,” Mr Sisodia added.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said that out of the 69 late reported deaths, 52 took place at Safdarjung Hospital and 1,106 fresh cases of coronavirus have been reported, taking the total tally in Delhi to over 17,000. This is the second day in a row that the city reported over 1,000 cases. The total Covid-19 positive cases now stand at 17,386.

Taking to Twitter, Mr Kejriwal emphasised on the importance of home quarantine to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and shared guidelines for home isolation by the Delhi government. He also asked people to share it with others.

“Over 80 per cent of corona patients have either no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Such patients can recover in the comfort of their home. In the centre pages of Friday’s newspapers, we have published detailed guidelines on #HomeIsolation. Please keep these pages safely and share with others,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.

To raise awareness about the procedures and instructions involved under the home isolation protocol of the Delhi government, a short 15minute video on home isolation was telecast on all major news channels on Friday evening.

Depicting the importance of the home isolation process, Mr Kejriwal said, “We have made these guidelines to explain to patients what to do during home isolation and what precautions to take. One thing to keep in mind is — do not panic. Most people recover from corona easily.”

The rules of home isolation, as laid down under the health department of the GNCTD (government of national capital territory of Delhi), include advising the patients to remain isolated at their homes in case of no or mild symptoms.

Their treatment is then monitored by a team of health workers and doctors appointed by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who stay in constant contact with the patient. A caregiver/attendant shall also be available 24x7 for the care of the patient.

In a first of its kind instructional video in the country on home isolation, the Delhi government briefly explained the directions laid down under the home isolation protocol.

Special instructions for the patients, caregivers/attendants, and neighbours of the patient under home isolation, along with directions for the patient to self-monitor, testing and recovery process, daily tracking, and following a nutritious diet are some of the procedures included in the home isolation protocol, which has also been explained in the video.

The video explains how more than 80 per cent of patients, who have no symptoms or minor symptoms, can be treated at their own homes, how such patients can be taken care of and recover at their own homes.