High alert in Delhi amid XBB.1.6 rise, Health min says, ‘Covid cases to surge’

Amid the surge in COVID cases, the Delhi health minister Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said that there would be a steep rise in cases for the next few days.

He also said that the city government is on high alert but assured that the new variant is not causing ‘severe diseases’ and in case there is an emergency, then the city government is completely prepared to handle the situation.

Saurabh Bhardwaj told news agency ANI, “Covid cases will increase in the national capital in the coming days since it is a densely populated state with flu and influenza-like symptoms." And he advised people with such symptoms to avoid crowded areas and in case there is an emergency they should wear masks.

Out of 4 deaths that took place in Delhi yesterday due to Corona, 3 died due to different diseases combined with Corona, he said.

Referring to the April 7 meeting between the Centre and states over the country's Covid situation, he told a press conference that according to experts XBB 1.16, which is currently the most prevalent coronavirus variant, is not causing severe disease.

Delhi logged 535 fresh Covid cases on Saturday with a positivity rate of 23.05 per cent, according to data shared by the city government's health department.

The city had logged 733 Covid cases the highest in over seven months on Friday with a positivity rate of 19.93 per cent.

Delhi has witnessed a spurt in the number of fresh Covid infections over the last few days amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country.