By the end of this month, Delhi’s RT-PCR testing capacity would be increased up to 60,000 tests a day. 45 doctors and 160 paramedical professionals from the central armed police forces (CAPFs) have also flown to Delhi for placement at the DRDO hospital near IGI Airport and the 10,000-bed COVID care centre in Chhatarpur.

As reported on 16th November, 10,000 additional RT-PCRs each day werestarted from 17th November, just two days after the home minister Amit Shah revised the COVID-19 situation in the city with Delhi government and outlined a 12-point action plan. Five RT-PCR laboratories, also including one at AIIMS, have started to function 24 hours and ICMR will arrange 10 mobile testing laboratories, having a total capacity of 20,000 COVID-19 tests, in a phased method that will begin next week.

The ICMR is also supporting in increasing the testing capacity of Delhi laboratories by 2,000 tests each day with placement of more manpower, thus increasing the number of shifts with engaging more equipment and by engagement of private sector laboratories. The joint efforts of Delhi government and ICMR are expected to raise the testing capacity to approximately 60,000 per day, said the home ministry.

Other measures are taken as per directions issued such as addition of more ICU beds and BIPAP beds in the cityas it has witnessed an upsurge in COVID-19 cases. DRDO will add 250 ICU beds and also create 35 BIPAP beds at its COVID hospital which is near Delhi airport in the next 3-4 days. The public-sector Bharat Electronics Ltd has also sent 250 ventilators from Bengaluru and are expected to reach by this weekend. Also, the health ministry has provided 25 BIPAP machines to the Delhi government.

Indian Railways are also making train coaches available at ShakurBasti railway station for a COVID care-cum-isolation facility that can accommodate 800 beds.

Source: ET Healthworld