Positivity rate reducing since Nov 7, outbreak on perpetual decline: Jain

New Delhi: With new COVID-19 cases seemingly declining for the last few days, Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday declared confidently that the Coronavirus outbreak here was on "perpetual decline", pointing to the consistently declining daily positivity rate since November 7.

"Positivity rate was down to 7.24% from 15.26%. It has become less than half since November 7, which is a sign of relief as it means that the outbreak is on a perpetual decline," the health minister said.

He added that RT-PCR tests were ordered to be increased by the central government, however, the laboratories do not have that much capacity. "We are doing our best to provide each and every result for them. As far as the decreasing number of cases are concerned, we only take into consideration the individual whose report has duly been provided," Jain said.

In addition, the health minister assured all residents that no essential or medical services will be affected due to the massive farmers' protests at Delhi's borders.

He said there was a "hiccup for a few hours" when crucial oxygen supply to the Capital was cut-off. However, this was resolved quickly and Jain said Delhi is getting its Oxygen supply from Rajasthan and that this was a life-saving necessity and will be made available in abundance.

"Initially there was a hiccup for a few hours, but that was resolved immediately and the supply was restored. Oxygen supply comes from Rajasthan and is a life-saving necessity, therefore it will be made available in abundance," Jain said.

Moreover, in a bid to ensure that the surge in COVID-19 cases does not relapse once again, the Delhi government had recently ordered 50 per cent of all government employees to work from home, barring Class 1 officers.

Jain said that 50 per cent of work from home has been carried out in the city wherein only Class 1 officers will be required to report to the office while the rest can work from home.

"Private offices have been given the freedom to take decisions as per their will. But, most of the private sector has been following the work from home policy, and have extended it till December 31," he said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Corona App showed that the bed vacancy for Covid patients had increased from 7,973 to 10,411 since November 11. Around the same time, the ICU bed vacancy also increased from 518 to 1,524. While speaking about the bed capacity Jain said that more than 55 per cent of covid beds were lying vacant in the Capital.