Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said that coronavirus cases in Delhi will cross 5.5 lakh mark by July 31 and dismissed the reports of community transmission in the national capital.
"By 15 June, there'll be 44,000 cases and 6,600 beds will be needed. By 30 June we'll reach 1 lakh cases and 15,000 beds will be required. By 15 July there'll be 2.25 lakh cases and 33,000 beds will be needed. By 31 July, 5.5 lakh cases expected & 80,000 beds will be needed," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister said.
The remarks came a day after Lt. Governor Anil Baijal issued an order striking down key announcements made by the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led government to reserve beds in private and Delhi government hospitals for city residents.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that if the cases keep doubling in every 12-13 days in the coming days, there will be shortage of beds and Delhiites will bear the brunt.
"This is the reason the Delhi cabinet had decided to reserve the beds only for the city residents but it was overturned by the L-G. Now, who will take the responsibility if the cases keep on increasing and the beds are full?" he asked.
Sisodia and State Health Minister Satyendar Jain spoke to the media after meeting Lt Governor Anil Baijal's residence ahead of an all-party meeting at 3 p.m.on the issue.
The Lt Governor, who is also the Chairman of Delhi Disaster Management Authority, had in his order on Monday said that "treatment should not be denied to any patient on grounds of being a non-resident".
"The Delhi High Court in a writ petition after examining constitutional provisions in details, especially Article 14 and 21, has held that denying patients medical treatment on ground of not being resident of NCT of Delhi is impermissible," the order stated.
