COVID-19 Spreads in New Delhi, India... Daily Cases Jump to Over 2,000

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is spreading in New Delhi, the capital of India. The number of new confirmed cases, which was around 300 to 400 per day in early last month, has recently surged to the 2,000 range, showing a steep increase.

India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on the 14th that the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in New Delhi increased by 2,134 from the previous day to 38,958.

The daily new confirmed cases in New Delhi recorded over 2,000 for two consecutive days, with 2,146 cases on the 13th. Of the 11,929 new cases nationwide that day, 18% came from New Delhi, and the daily new deaths numbered 57, accounting for 18% of the national total (311).

The daily new cases in New Delhi now exceed those in Mumbai, the largest economic city in India that has suffered the worst damage so far. Mumbai reported 1,380 new infections from the previous day, bringing the cumulative total to 56,831.

Satyendar Jain, New Delhi's Health Minister, said on the 13th, "The number of confirmed cases is increasing rapidly," adding, "The trend is doubling every two weeks."

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also expressed concern that if the current trend continues, New Delhi's cumulative confirmed cases will reach 550,000 by the end of next month.

In New Delhi, lockdown measures have been eased since mid-last month following federal government guidelines, leading to a significant increase in confirmed cases. Since the 8th, shopping malls and restaurants have also reopened.

Local media analyzed that the virus is spreading rapidly, especially in low-income residential areas such as slums where 'social distancing' is difficult, and in traditional markets.

The number of concentrated infection zones under restrictions such as stay-at-home orders in New Delhi increased significantly from 158 on the 3rd to 241 in just ten days.

With the surge in confirmed cases, medical infrastructure such as hospital beds and ventilators has reached saturation, and with the influx of deaths, crematoriums are also insufficient. The already poor local medical service conditions have worsened further.

Accordingly, New Delhi authorities plan to secure an additional 2,000 to 3,000 hospital beds by mid to late this month by utilizing newly established hospitals and hotel facilities. They are also considering using major stadiums and wedding halls in New Delhi as temporary wards.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.