330 Markaz attendees take Delhi’s Covid-19 tally to 523: CM

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) With 20 fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said here on Monday, the Covid-19 case tally in the national capital had reached 523, which included 330 people from the Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin Markaz.

With one death in the past 24 hours, the Covid-19 toll in the city was seven, he said.

Addressing the media, Kejriwal said, “Among the 20 new cases, 10 had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin. So far, 330 people from Markaz have tested positive.”

Stating that the city government has decided to scale up coronavirus testing, the Chief Minister said the Centre had approved 27,000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) for Delhi, which could be delivered in a day or two.

On the rise in number of cases, Kejriwal said apart from the Markaz cases, it was also due to increase in testing by the Delhi government.

“Testing has been doubled in Delhi in the last few days. Around March 25, we were testing 100-125 people a day. From April 1, we are conducting around 500 tests per day. It will be increased to 1,000 a day,” he said.

He said the government would receive 1,00,000 testing kits by Friday, which would further help increase the coronavirus testing.

From Tuesday, the Chief Minister said ration would be delivered to over 10 lakh poor who had no ration cards. They will get 4 kg wheat and one kg rice per member free of cost.

“People who have applied for the ration cards online can get ration from 421 schools from Tuesday. Although, we request them to not gather in large numbers and maintain social distancing,” he said.

“We aim to give ration to 10 lakh such people and will procure more grain from the Centre, if needed,” Kejriwal said. The Centre was cooperating with the Delhi government in this regard, he said.

Apart from them, around 71 lakh ration cardholders are getting the ration free.

The state government is feeding 6.5 lakh people twice a day. “Apart from the government, people are also feeding the poor. I thank all those who are helping in feeding the poor.”

The Chief Minister said the Covid-19 situation was under control in the city. “There is nothing to worry. Keep following the lockdown,” he said.

–IANS

nks/pcj