Delhi's Covid tally up again with 21,259 new cases; active caseload nears 75k

More than 82,000 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. These include 61,060 RTPCR/CBNAAT/True Nat tests and 21,824 rapid antigen tests, the health department's bulletin showed.

Delhi's daily count of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) went up again on Tuesday after 21,259 fresh cases were registered, taking the caseload to nearly 16 lakh, according to the health department's bulletin. A day ago, 19,166 people had tested positive for the virus.

The active caseload in Delhi neared 75,000. (ANI)

As many as 23 people died due to related ailments pushing the cumulative toll to 25,200.

However, more patients were discharged on Tuesday (82,884) as compared to Monday (76,670), taking the total recoveries to 14,90,074. The active caseload in Delhi neared 75,000 (74,881 to be exact).

More than 82,000 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. These include 61,060 RTPCR/CBNAAT/True Nat tests and 21,824 rapid antigen tests, the health department's bulletin showed.

Containment zones in the national capital have climbed to 17,269 and 50,796 infected patients are in home isolation.

The national capital has been placed under fresh curbs to ward off the spread of Covid-19. According to an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), all private offices will be closed except those falling under the exempted category. Dine-in services in all restaurants and bars will be suspended but food delivery is allowed.

Night curfew and a weekend curfew is already in place in the national capital, while establishments such as gymnasiums, cinema halls and spas have been shut until further orders. All schools, colleges and educational institutions are also closed and students have to attend online classes.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal ruled out the possibility of a lockdown in Delhi. “About 22,000 Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 24-25% in the last few days...Don't worry, we will not impose lockdown...At the DDMA meet we requested Central govt officials to cover the entire NCR for restrictions, they assured us on the same,” Kejriwal said, according to news agency ANI.

The authorities have vaccinated 2,77,19,689 beneficiaries against Covid-19 so far. Of these, more than 1.6 crore beneficiaries have received the first dose, while more than 1.16 crore have received both the doses.

Over three lakh children between the ages of 15-18 have been vaccinated and precautionary doses have been administered to 18,858 beneficiaries, according to the bulletin.