Lockdown in Delhi likely to be eased next week as Covid wave recedes

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The stringent lockdown in Delhi to fight the coronavirus wave will be eased next week if the number of fresh infections continue to fall in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday.</p>
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The national capital, was one of the worst hit cities in the country, went into a lockdown on April 20, but new cases have declined in recent weeks and test positivity rate has fallen under 2.5%, compared to 36% last month, Kejriwal said.</p>
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"If cases continue to drop for a week, then from May 31 we will start the process of unlocking," Kejriwal said at a news conference.</p>
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Delhi reported around 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24 hours, he said.</p>
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Many states remain in lockdown, raising concern about the economic impact of the pandemic.</p>
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The Indian Council of Medical Research is of the view that districts with a high rate of infection should be placed under a 6 to 8 weeks lockdown to break the chain of transmission.</p>
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India's daily COVID-19 cases are decreasing after peaking on May 9. The government said on Sunday it is conducting the highest number of COVID-19 tests, with more than 21 lakh samples tested in the previous 24 hours.</p>
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The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone up to 19.5 crore, according to the latest data compiled by the health ministry. </p>
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As many as 6,82,398 people in the younger 18-44 years age group received their first dose of the COVID vaccine on Saturday taking the total number to  99,79,676 across 37 States and UTs since the start of phase-3 of the accelerated vaccination drive.</p>
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Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh top the list with more than 10 lakh doses being administered to people in the 18-44 years age group. Delhi comes next with over 9 lakh COVID vaccine shots being given to this category followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh with 7 lakh and 6 lakh respectively.</p>