Withan unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases in the last few days, the nationalcapital is facing shortage of beds and oxygen as daily positivity rate hasjumped to 30 per cent, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said this in a letterto Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
"Covid-19situation is at a very critical stage. There is a shortage of beds and oxygenin Delhi hospitals, almost all ICU beds have been occupied by Covid-19patients. We are trying our best, we seek your help," Kejriwal said in hisletter to PM Modi.
Kejriwalthanked the Prime Minister for providing 500 ICU beds through the DefenceResearch and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Accordingto the CMO, the DRDO is set to reopen its Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel CovidHospital in Delhi Cantt to deal with the massive spike in infections and willprovide 500 ICU beds in the national capital.
Kejriwalhas requested Modi to direct the DRDO to increase the number of ICU beds from500 to 1,000.
"Thereare around 10,000 beds in Centre-run hospitals, of which only 1,800 arereserved for Covid-19 patients. Observing the situation of the national capitalat present, I would request you (PM) to direct to reserve at least 7,000 bedsfor Covid-19 patients," Kejriwal wrote in his letter.
Kejriwaltold the media that he has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and HealthMinister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and told them about the critical situation Delhi isfacing due to the increasing Covid cases.
"Yesterday,I spoke to Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and told him about the criticalsituation of Delhi. I also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah this morningregarding lack of beds and informed them that we are in a dire need,"Kejriwal told the media on Sunday.