Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary RK Tiwari on Sunday said the state government will conduct mandatory COVID-19 tests on people coming from Delhi. "We will be testing people coming from Delhi via flight, bus or train, in the wake of surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital," Tiwari told ANI. "We are discussing on the number of people allowed to attend wedding or event," he added.
This comes amid the surge in the coronavirus cases in the national capital. Delhi, which has been reeling under the third wave of coronavirus, has reported a death rate of 1.58 per cent as compared to the national fatality rate of 1.48 per cent.
In the month of November alone, the national capital has recorded 1,759 fatalities till November 21 - around 83 deaths per day. The number of deaths breached the 100-mark four times in the last 10 days. Authorities reported 111 fatalities on Saturday, 118 on Friday, 131 deaths on Wednesday, the highest till date, and 104 on November 12.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday said over 400 ICU beds have been added for coronavirus patients in the national capital. He said the number will be increased further in the coming days as these 400 beds are part of a total of 1,650 ICU beds being set up in the city --250 in private hospitals, 650 in Delhi government facilities and 750 in those run by the Centre.
Besides, Uttar Pradesh is also witnessing a sudden surge in coronavirus cases. With 24 fatalities on Saturday, the death toll rose to 7,524. The number of cases surged to 5,24,223 with 2,326 new infections.
(With PTI inputs)
