The Delhi government on Sunday
directed all nursing homes and private hospitals providing COVID-19-related
treatment in the national capital to reserve at least 80% of their ICU and ward
bed capacity for coronavirus patients.

The
order issued by the medical superintendent, nursing homes mentioned that the
occupancy of ICU beds and ward beds for coronavirus patients in 115 private hospitals
has reached “almost 100% and 90%” respectively.

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“Therefore,
to further augment bed capacity, all nursing homes and private hospitals
providing COVID-related treatment are directed to reserve 80% of their ICU beds
and ward beds for the treatment of coronavirus patients,” the order said.

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Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said around 25,500 new COVID-19 cases have
been reported in Delhi and the positivity rate has increased to nearly 30% in
the last 24 hours.

He
also said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital has
sought the Centre’s help in ensuring adequate beds and supply of oxygen for
COVID-19 patients.

Less
than 100 ICU beds are vacant in Delhi hospitals and the situation is worsening
every moment, Kejriwal said.

The
Centre should reserve at least 7,000 of the 10,000 beds in the hospitals run by
it in Delhi as COVID beds and ensure immediate supply of oxygen, he said.

In
the next two-three days, the Delhi government will come up with 6,000 beds at
the Yamuna Sports Complex, Radha Swami Satsang Beas premises and in schools. It
is also arranging high-flow oxygen beds for the patients, the chief minister
added.

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Of
the 4,136 ICU beds reserved for coronavirus patients in Delhi hospitals, only
80 were vacant around 2 pm on Sunday, according to the city government’s
“Delhi Corona” mobile application.

Of
the 17,588 COVID ward beds available in Delhi, 14,215 were occupied.