Statements by Delhi Govt Ministers that third wave of COVID-19 has already peaked contrary to data: Delhi High Court

Statements by ministers and high ranking officers of the Delhi government that the third wave of COVID-19 infection has already peaked in the national capital is contrary to the data on daily reported cases, the Delhi High Court said on Thursday (Rakesh Malhotra vs GNCTD)..The observation came in response to the Delhi Government's stand that fifth Sero-Surveillance was yet to be undertaken as the city was still reeling under the third wave of COVID-19 infection.."The stand taken is that the third wave has already peaked in Delhi and cases of COVID-19 infection are gradually going down, though the same is not borne out from the daily reported cases of the infection. It is disheartening to note that the daily number of deaths in Delhi have steadily climbed from 71 as on 09.11.2020 to 131 as on 18.11.2020 with new cases having climbed up to 7,486 as on November 18, 2020,"the order passed by a Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said..The court was dealing with advocate Rakesh Malhotra's (Petitioner) petition concerning the rate and status of COVID-19 testing in the city..On the last day of the hearing, the court had directed the AAP-government to point out the concrete steps taken by it to ensure strict adherence to the norms of wearing a mask, maintenance of social distancing, hospitalization of patients suffering from COVID-19 infection etc. .COVID-19 situation critical, all caution thrown to the winds: Delhi High Court pulls up AAP Govt.In response, the Delhi Government stated that in view of the festive season, it has been issuing several orders from time to time including prohibiting Chhath puja celebrations at public spaces and bursting of crackers during Diwali. .It added that Delhi government has also approached Central government for permission to close down certain markets and other places and necessary sanctions were awaited..The court was further informed that to ensure social distancing and health norms, apart from Delhi Police, a total of 119 enforcement vehicles and 134 enforcement teams had been deployed in various place in Delhi..The court, however, opined, ."Considering that Delhi has a population of over two crores, it appears that the number of Enforcement vehicles and the Enforcement teams are insufficient.".The court also noted that between September 7 and September 16, only five persons had been arrested for violating the norms. ."While South, South-West and West districts have been seriously affected by the rise in the Covid-19 infection, the fines imposed in the said Districts for failure to adhere to the norms of social distancing and of wearing masks is proportionately very small. Even the fine imposed, i.e., Rs.500/- for the first violation and Rs.1,000/- for the second violation is hardly a deterrent,"the High Court said. .Considering the data on testing through RT-PCR and RAT, the court reiterated that Delhi government ought to be alive to the fact that testing through RAT was not serving the required purpose. The solution, it opined, is to increase testing through RT-PCR and other similar modes. .With regard to healthcare infrastructure, the court was further informed that while 750 ICU beds have been assured by the Central government, Delhi government itself was proposing to increase the strength of ICU beds to about 663. .While hoping and expecting that Delhi government would come up with a concrete plan, the court directed that publicity would be given to the 33 private hospitals which has ICU beds reserved for COVID-19 patients. .Delhi High Court vacates stay on reservation of 80% ICU beds for COVID-19 patients in 33 private hospitals.The court also asked Delhi government to state the steps taken by it to create facilities of care homes to shift those who are infected and to ensure the performance of last rites of those who have succumbed to the infection. .Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi with Additional Standing Counsel Satyakam appeared for Delhi Govt. .[Read Order]