Amid surge in Covid cases in city, bed occupancy stays low

As per data, 18 out of a total 1,093 ventilator beds were occupied (1.65%). In the private sector, 11 out of 209 such beds were occupied (5.26%). Similarly, data shows that 50 out of 1,850 ICU beds were occupied (2.7%). In the private sector, data shows 34 out of 613 (5.55%) such beds were occupied. Occupancy of oxygenated beds and Covid beds remained at similar levels as data shows: 120 out of 7,539 oxygenated beds were occupied (1.59%), 124 out of 7,989 Covid beds were occupied (1.55%).

On Saturday, Delhi reported 535 Covid cases at a positivity rate of 23% and zero deaths. The high positivity rate is also because fewer tests (2,321) were conducted in the last 24 hours. On Friday, the city recorded 733 fresh cases at a positivity rate of almost 20% from 3,678 tests. Two deaths, in which Covid was found to be incidental, were also reported on Friday, as per the health bulletin.

Delhi’s active caseload stands at 2,232, with a cumulative test positivity rate of 4.93% and a case fatality rate of 1.32%. According to government records, 11 deaths were reported between March 1 and April 6 — nine males and two female patients — all with comorbidities. Five deaths were recorded among patients falling in the 70- to 79-year age group, followed by three between 60 and 69, two in the 80-89 bracket, and one fatality in the 50-59 group.

Dr Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital, said in the current Covid surge, majority of the cases are being treated through online consultation. “At present, very few patients require hospitalisation. Those with comorbid conditions and the elderly have been admitted but that number is also quite low,” Tickoo said, adding that hospitalised patients have a history of comorbidities, including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dr Suresh Kumar, medical director of Delhi’s government’s Lok Nayak Hospital, said at present, only 12 patients have been admitted at the centre, out of which two will be discharged by Saturday evening or Sunday morning. “Those with fever, cough, and sore throat should get tested to identify if it is H3N2 or Covid and start treatment accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, people coming forward to get the precautionary dose have not exponentially risen. In Delhi, the total cumulative number of beneficiaries who have taken the second dose is 1.57 crore while those who have taken booster shots are around 33 lakh.

Tickoo said at present, it is still unclear if the current vaccines are effective against the new strain. However, he emphasised that those with severe comorbidities should opt for a booster dose. Dr Jugal Kishore, Director Professor and Head of Community Medicine Department at Safdarjung Hospital, said new cases will increase for the next 15 days, after which they are expected to dip significantly. “But if there are huge crowds, we could see a continued spike. Hence, we need to be alert,” he said.

Ensuring norms, health department officials said the next mock drill will be conducted in 245 government and private health facilities on April 10 and 11. “Assessment of hospitals on parameters like bed capacity, human resources, HR capacity, referral services, lab testing capacity, medical logistics, oxygen status, etc will be conducted,” an official said.