Delhi hospitals breathe easier as fresh Covid-19 cases fall to 6-week low

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<strong>With the decline in the daily count of fresh Covid-19 cases in Delhi, the pressure has eased on hospitals and medical facilities set up for coronavirus patients with nearly half the beds now lying vacant, according to official figures.</strong></p>
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Data released by the Delhi government shows that as many as 12,907 beds meant for Covid patients were vacant while 14,805 were occupied.</p>
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The situation has correspondingly improved in the intensive care units as well bringing much needed relief to Covid patients and their families although some distress calls are still being made in some areas, a senior official said.</p>
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The national capital on Tuesday reported 4,482 Covid-19 cases, the lowest single-day increase since April 5. The positivity rate which had been hovering between 30 to 40 per cent at one stage is now down to 6.89 per cent, according to the latest health bulletin released by the Delhi government.</p>
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Both ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) facilities created at the peak of the second wave currently have close to 50 per cent vacancy.</p>
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On Tuesday, the national capital's recovery rate was 94.37 percent. As many as 9,403 patients recovered during the last 24 hours. The active case load in the city has fallen to 50,863.</p>
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"Both in ITBP and DRDO, due to successive recoveries, the confidence level of patients has increased due to which many have been discharged," he added.</p>
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Only 229 beds were occupied and 271 were vacant in the ITBP facility on Tuesday.</p>
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"Earlier we used to attend as many as 2,000 SOS calls every day but now on an average, we get 500-600 calls and that too mostly for ICU beds," said a senior ITBP official in-charge of COVID care facility adding that now they are admitting walk-in patients too.</p>
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Vacant beds are also increasing at the DRDO facility.  "Earlier we thought of increasing the number of beds but now as Delhi is stabilising, we won't require more beds)," said a Defence Ministry officials. On Tuesday, this facility had 269 vacant beds out of 500 ICU beds.</p>
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The situation is similar in Yamuna Sports Complex Covid Care Centre where only 62 beds were occupied out of 800 operational Covid beds.</p>
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Covid Care Centre at the Commonwealth Games Village, where the 460-bed facility has only 60 patients now.</p>
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However, the number of deaths in absolute terms is still high as 265 fatalities  were reported in the last 24 hours. As many as 22,111 people have died in the national capital since the outbreak of the deadly pandemic in 2020.</p>