Home-isolated COVID-19 patients to get device to measure oxygen level: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday anunced his government will give pulse oximeters -- devices that measure oxygen level in blood -- to home-isolated COVID-19 patients, and said number of coronavirus tests has increased by three times in national capital.

According to data shared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for Sunday, Delhi surpassed Tamil Nadu to become second worst-hit state or union territory by coronavirus. figures were shared by ministry on its website on Monday.

However, Tamil Nadu on Monday reported 2,710 fresh cases, taking tally to 62,087. Delhi's Monday figures were t released yet.

As on Sunday, national capital had reported 59,746 cases, marginally higher than Tamil Nadu’s 59,377. Maharashtra has 1,32,075 cases, highest in country.

By death count too, Delhi is on second spot with 2,175 fatalities till Sunday.

Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said that in last one week, re was a net rise of only 1,000 active coronavirus cases, which indicates COVID-19 situation is slowly stabilising in city.

He said cases were rising, but recovery rate was also improving. From June 15 to 21, Delhi reported 18,564 coronavirus cases. However, 16,790 people also recovered during period. However, if sharp spike seen in last week continues, Delhi could well surpass Mumbai to become city with largest coronavirus cases. For past three days, Delhi has recorded 3,000 or more cases daily -- 3,137 on 19th June, 3,630 on 20th June, and 3,000 on June 21.

Earlier this month, Delhi High Court had observed national capital is heading towards becoming “corona capital” of country. Kejriwal said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is getting "eugh support" to arrest spread of COVID-19 in Delhi.

"We will give pulse oximeters to COVID-19 patients under home isolation. Every district will have oxygen concentrators. Delhi will soon have a helpline and our team will go to houses of patients who are recovering from disease to provide oxygen," Kejriwal said.

patients can return pulse oximeters to government after y have fully recovered, he added.

Coronavirus affects respiratory system, leading to breathlessness and drop in oxygen level in blood.

chief minister said that till w, Delhi did t require beds for COVID-19 patients on a large scale as most of m recovered from disease, adding that number of serious patients is also less in national capital.

Kejriwal said Delhi currently has 25,000 active COVID-19 cases, 12,000 of whom are under home-isolation, adding that around 18,000 coronavirus tests are being conducted daily in city w.

Until a few weeks ago, around 5,000 COVID-19 tests were being conducted daily in national capital. With Centre's help, antigen tests, which give results within 30 minutes, have also been started in Delhi, chief minister said. He said that as on June 12, a total of 5,300 beds were occupied in all hospitals in city.

"6,200 beds are occupied w, which means only 900 more occupied in last 10 days...7,000 beds are still available.

"This means that number of new coronavirus patients admitted in hospitals is almost same as that of people recovering from disease and going back to ir homes," chief minister said.

re was some chaos a few days ago as regards availability of beds, he said, while asserting that his government has worked on a war-footing to increase number of beds in government and private hospitals. Meanwhile, 17 inmates of Mandoli Jail have tested positive for coronavirus. This comes days after a 62-year-old inmate who shared cell with him died of coronavirus.

Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said among 29 inmates who were tested for Covid-19, 17 of m have been found positive while 12 ors have been tested negative for infection, according to ir reports received on Monday.