Kejriwal likely to meet Home Minister Amit Shah next week to discuss Delhi's COVID-19 situation

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah next week to follow up on request for ditional beds in city's central government-run hospitals amid a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in national capital, sources said on Saturday.

Apart from more beds, Kejriwal may ask for furr assistance, including ensuring cooperation from or states in controlling pollution which is leing to rise in coronavirus cases during festive season.

"During his meeting with Union home minister, chief minister may also discuss steps which need to be taken to arrest spre of COVID-19 in Delhi," a source said.

Kejriwal h on Friday said AAP government was considering initiating several steps next week to arrest spre of viral disease in city.

Earlier this week, he h requested Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to augment bed capacity in central government-run hospitals in Delhi, in view of revised projections of up to 15,000 COVID-19 cases per day in coming weeks.

In a letter to Vardhan last week, Kejriwal h cited a shortfall of around 4,900 beds in hospitals and sought his direction to hospitals run by central government in Delhi to provide at least 1,092 ditional beds, including 300 ICU beds, with required medical staff.

Kejriwal on Friday said COVID-19 situation in national capital should come under control in seven to 10 days.

Terming pollution as "biggest reason" behind spike in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, chief minister said situation was under control in city till October 20.

"COVID-19 cases have been increasing for last few days. I am also concerned about it. We have been taking all appropriate measures to control it. We are considering taking more steps next week. I think situation should come under control in seven to 10 days and cases should start decreasing," he h said.

Delhi recorded 7,802 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day taking infection tally in national capital to over 4.74 lakh on Friday, while 91 more fatalities during same period pushed death toll to 7,423.