Fresh Covid-19 cases in Delhi at 7-week low, positivity rate falls to 3.5%

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The daily count of fresh Covid-19 cases in Delhi fell to a 7-week low of 2,260 on Saturday, the lowest level since March 31 as the deadly second coronavirus wave continued to recede amid a strict lockdown. The number of deaths reported in the last 24 hours came down to 182.</p>
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The positivity rate for the coronavirus tests being carried out in the capital declined to 3.5% from the 30 to 40% range that was recorded during the peak of the second wave. </p>
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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while extending the lockdown last week, said experts had advised not to end the restrictions till the positivity rate fell to 5 per cent. He is expected to take a call on lifting the lockdown this weekend, after a discussion with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.</p>
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Delhi's active caseload has come down to 31,308, the lowest since April 10. The recovery rate has surged to 96.16 per cent.</p>
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As many as 6,453 people were discharged during the day, about three times the number of fresh cases reported, which means that more hospital beds would have fallen vacant.</p>
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Saturday is the fourth consecutive day that the national capital has logged less than 4,000 daily cases. The city had recorded 3,009 cases on Friday and 252 deaths, with a positivity rate of 4.76 per cent.</p>
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The strict lockdown, with metro rail services also being shut down, has worked in breaking the transmission chain of Covid-19 cases.</p>
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"These are the lowest numbers after 31 March. But we still need to take all precautions and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour," Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said.</p>