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New Delhi, India – “I wouldn’t have ventured out of the house until this pandemic was over,” says Ishrat Hussain, 50. “But I have to feed my family.”
Hussain, a father of four, sells vegetables from a cart in the Indian capital, New Delhi, where daily COVID-19 infections have peaked in recent weeks.
“Before I leave the house in the morning, I strictly tell my children not to go out unnecessarily,” she said, adding that she is afraid every day while at work.
“I don’t take off my mask for a minute while I’m at work because I don’t want to catch this infection and spread it to my family. After months, we thought things would become normal now, but they are getting worse. “
On Thursday, authorities said New Delhi recorded 5,475 new cases of COVID-19 and 91 deaths, bringing the city’s death toll to 8,811.
Curfew considered
The city government led by Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) told the Delhi High Court on Thursday that it was “actively considering” the night curfew among other measures to address the spate of cases.
Ishrat, who sells vegetables, is concerned about the sharp rise in infections [Bilal Kuchay/Al Jazeera]
The government’s response came after the court questioned it about the measures taken to control the peak in daily cases.
The city records more cases per day than any other state, remaining above 5,000 per day for the past week. The total number of cases has already exceeded half a million.
While 131 COVID-related deaths were recorded on November 18, its highest to date, New Delhi recorded the highest peak of 8,593 cases in one day on November 11 alone.
“The situation is worrying due to its strain on the health system and requires concerted policy intervention to manage the current burden and prevent a further increase in the number of cases,” said Dr Anant Bhan, researcher at Global Health, Bioethics. and Health Policy.
Bhan said the spike in the number of cases in New Delhi could be due to laxity in following public health measures (use of masks, physical distancing, hygiene) among citizens, particularly with the increase in social interactions during Christmas holidays in progress.
Additionally, winter and increased air pollution also increase the risk element, he said.
Doctors warned a group of 29 elite athletes – including women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei from Kenya and two-time Ethiopian men’s winner Andamlak Belihu – not to compete in Sunday’s New Delhi half marathon. .
Health experts said it would be “suicidal” this time for runners to run the race, amid a severe coronavirus epidemic and dizzying air pollution.
The rise in coronavirus infections in New Delhi has been a huge burden on hospitals.
Availability of intensive care
India’s PTI news agency reported that the number of beds available in ventilator-equipped intensive care units (ICUs) dropped to 205 in the city on Thursday, with zero vacancies in at least 60 hospitals.
“Our workforce is running out. Doctors have been exhausted for the past nine months and some of them are sick and hospitalized, “said Dr DS Rana, president of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, adding that doctors are working extra shifts and seeing more patients than usual. due to the pandemic.
Dr Rana added: “In the last eight to nine months we have never faced the problems of rejecting anyone because of the fans, but in the last four to five days the situation has changed and all the beds with the fans have filled up.” .
“Yesterday, all of our intensive care units were sold out. There were no ICU beds available in the hospital, “he said, adding that they received another 40 ICU beds from the government.
The central government earlier this month brought in doctors from other regions and promised to increase ICU beds while Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan warned of a worsening health situation in the capital.
Wearing face masks was made mandatory, and the city government last week quadrupled the fine on those who defy the rules of masks and physical distances in the public in an effort to help control the coronavirus wave.
City authorities also said that only 50 people will be admitted to the wedding ceremonies compared to the previous limit of 200.
“The government should deal strictly with people who violate COVID-19 rules,” said Tushar Batnagar, a New Delhi resident who works in a restaurant.
Although people in the capital can be seen wearing face masks, social distancing guidelines are not being followed properly, mainly in the markets.
Al Jazeera’s request for comment from the spokesman for the ruling New Delhi party went unanswered.
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