60,000 tests a day, doubling ICU beds: How Centre plans to tackle Delhi’s Covid surge

Massive rush for Chhath Puja at the New Delhi Railway Station

“The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Govt of NCT of Delhi are working together to enhance RT-PCR testing capacity to 60,000 tests (daily) by end November. Testing capacity has already been enhanced by 10,000 tests/day on November 17,” the MHA said in a statement.

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To achieve this, the ICMR will help in augmenting capacity of existing Delhi labs by 2,000 tests by deploying more manpower, increasing number of shifts and placing more equipment. It will also involve private sector labs even as five RT-PCR labs including at AIIMS, Delhi have already started functioning round the clock, an MHA official said.

Civil Defence personnel takes photos of people who are not wearing mask before issuing a challan in New Delhi

“To bring testing closer to Delhi residents, ICMR will help Govt of NCT of Delhi in deploying 10 mobile testing labs for COVID with total capacity of 20,000 tests in phased manner beginning next week,” the MHA said.

Officials said planning for house to house survey in Delhi was already at an advanced stage and the survey is expected to begin by the weekend and completed by November 25. “Orientation meeting of DCs/DCs (MCD) & other stakeholders has been held by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,” the MHA said.

With increasing patient flow, the ministry is also working with DRDO to increase ICU beds at its Covid facility near the domestic airport. “DRDO to add 250 ICU beds to its already existing 250 ICU beds and also to create 35 BIPAP beds in next 3 to 4 days at its COVID hospital near Delhi airport,” MHA said.

Doctors check Covid-19 patients at CWG Covid Care Centre in New Delhi

Apart from this, the Indian Railways is making available train coaches with 800 beds at Shakur Basti railway station. As announced earlier by the MHA, most of this capacity enhancement will be matched by an increase in healthcare professionals drawn out from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

“Already 45 doctors and 160 para-medics from CAPFs have reached Delhi for deployment at DRDO hospital near Delhi airport and at COVID care centre at Chattarpur. Remaining doctors and medics will reach Delhi in next few days,” the MHA said.

To make more ventilators available, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has dispatched 250 ventilators from Bengaluru which are expected to reach Delhi by the weekend, officials said. “MoHFW has delivered 35 BIPAP machines to DRDO COVID facility near Delhi airport. As many as 25 BIPAP machines for Delhi Govt to be provided by MoHFW,” MHA said.