Delhi govt to bear cost for education, upbringing of children orphaned by COVID-19: Kejriwal

New Delhi:Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that the Delhi government will bear the cost of raising and educating children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19. He also said that the Delhi government will also extend financial help to families and senior citizens who have lost their earning members due to COVID-19. He said that in the past 24 hours, Delhi has recorded around 8,500 cases, as against 28,000+ cases on April 20 and that the positivity rate down to 12% as against 36% on April 22. In the past 10 days, the number of patients in hospitals of Delhi has reduced by more than 3,000 patients, this means that 3,000 beds have become empty, however, ICU beds are still full, he added. CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal also said that around 1200 new ICU beds have been prepared and will be ready in 1-2 days, which will bring great relief to the people of Delhi.

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “In these times of despair, I wish to bring some good news to everyone. In the past 24 hours, less than 10,000 cases of Coronavirus have come up in Delhi. In the past 24 hours, Delhi has recorded around 8,500 cases. For the past few days, a lot of cases have appeared in Delhi. There were more than 28,000 cases on 20th April 2021. Today 8,500 cases have emerged. It is the first time in many days that the number of cases has been less than 10,000. The infection rate has also gone down in Delhi, which is only 12%, over the past 24 hours. Infection rate means the number of people found to be Covid positive out of 100 people. A greater infection rate implies that the virus is widely spread. Today the infection rate has come to be only 12%. On 22nd April this infection had reached 36 % in Delhi .”

He said, ”This means that a lesser number of people are falling ill in Delhi. The number of people admitted to the hospitals has also reduced. In the past 10 days, the number of patients in hospitals of Delhi has reduced by more than 3,000 patients. Which means that 3,000 beds have become empty. Now there is no problem being faced to get beds in hospitals, yet one thing to be observed is that the ICU beds are still full. This means the number of serious patients has not declined much. Even now the ICU beds in the hospitals of Delhi are almost full. Your government is also working in this direction. Around 1200 new ICU beds have been prepared and are now ready to be utilized by today or tomorrow. This will bring great relief to the people of Delhi.”

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal added, “The cases that are declining in Delhi have been because of the contribution of every person of Delhi. We imposed a very strict lockdown in Delhi, but the people of Delhi offered their complete support in the same. Everyone adhered to the lockdown completely. Today everyone is talking about how the people of Delhi managed to reduce the number of Coronavirus cases. This has been possible only because of the disciplined behavior of the people of Delhi. But the battle is not won yet. The battle is yet to finish. Even now 8,500 cases have come up. This has to be reduced to 0. We have to end Coronavirus entirely.”

He said, “Secondly, if we do not take precautions, then the cases will increase again. There is no guarantee that they will remain low. Delhi may face problems again. Therefore by no means, we can let loose. The lockdown has to be adhered to strictly and should employ all the ways to ensure protection from the Coronavirus. The Delhi Government is also not leaving any scope in its arrangements. We are making more Oxygen beds, buying thousands of oxygen cylinders, installing new ICU beds, so that in case the Coronavirus cases increase, we are fully prepared in the arrangements we make.”

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “The last few days have gone in despair. Despite several efforts, we could not save our people of Delhi. Some families had to face the deaths of more than one person. I pray to God to provide peace to all these souls. I know of many such kids who lost both their parents. They have no one left. I went to tell such kids that I can understand their grief but not to worry, you are not orphans, I am there for you. No child will have to leave their education in between. Education will be provided to every child. The Government will take the responsibility for their maintenance. There have been many such old people who had young children who used to earn and then their homes could be run. Now those earning children are no longer alive. I want to tell all such old people that you have lost your kids and I feel extremely sorry for that. But not to worry, this son of yours is alive. All those families who have lost an earning member will be helped by the Government.”

He said, “We will provide financial assistance to such families, but such children and old people need love at this point in time. They need empathy. It is my request to all the neighbors and the relatives of such families to take care of them. These families are facing great challenges. Give them love. The 2-crore people of Delhi, we are a family. In these times of despair, we need to help each other. On the occasion of the festival of Eid, I pray for the health and happiness of all.