70 of 97 Covid deaths in Jan unvaccinated, but fatalities low: Delhi govt

More than 75 per cent of those who succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection in the current wave in Delhi were unvaccinated, Health Minister Satyendra Jain said on Friday.

Saying that there is no reason to worry over the rising COVID cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that hospitalisation and death rates are low in the national capital.

Jain also said that the city is expected to record less than 25,000 coronavirus cases on Friday.

According to official data, of the 97 people who died due to COVID between January 9 to January 12, 70 people were unvaccinated, while 19 had taken the first jab and eight were fully vaccinated. Besides seven were minors.

"More than 75 per cent of the people who died due to coronavirus had not even taken a single dose of the vaccine. Ninety per cent of the people had severe comorbidities like cancer and kidney ailments. Even the seven patients below 18 years had chronic issues," Jain noted.

He said one of the persons who died had allegedly attempted suicide and was hospitalised for it.

"He tested positive and died three days later," said the minister.

The minister added that more than 13,000 hospital beds are lying vacant in the city.

"The hospitalisation rate has become stagnant and the daily admissions have reduced. It is a matter of great relief," he said.

Allaying concerns of the people, Kejriwal said that COVID cases are rising fast but there was no reason to worry and emphasised that hospitalisation and death rates are low in the national capital.

He asked people to be responsible and assured them that the government has made all preparations and there are enough hospital beds.

"There is no need to panic. Cases have risen but hospitalisation and deaths are low. We have made all the preparations and there is no shortage of beds," Kejriwal told reporters.

Delhi had on Thursday reported 28,867 COVID-19 cases, the sharpest single-day spike since the pandemic began, and 31 deaths, while the positivity rate surged to 29.21 per cent, according to the health department data.

Delhi's previous biggest daily jump of 28,395 cases was recorded on April 20 last year.

Out of 15,433 COVID beds in hospitals, 2,424 were occupied on Thursday, according to official data.