CM Arvind Kejriwal appeals to Centre for help, says ‘less than 100 ICU beds left in Delhi'

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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (April 18) apprised about the deteriorating COVID-19 situation of the hospitals in the national capital. The Delhi CM informed that there is a shortage of hospital beds with less than 100 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds remaining.

While addressing a virtual press conference, Kejriwal said he has appealed to the Centre for help. “We are asking for help from the Center, and we thank the government for the assistance received so far.”

Further, he said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday morning and informed him about the dearth of beds in Delhi hospitals. "Less than 100 ICU beds left and there's oxygen shortage.Spoke to Dr Harsh Vardhan yesterday and Amit Shah ji this morning regarding lack of beds and informed them that we're in dire need," CM Kejriwal was quoted as saying by ANI. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Kejriwal stated that out of 10,000 beds in Centre-run hospitals, only 1800 beds have been reserved for COVID-19 patients. “I have requested the Centre to reserve at least 7000 beds for coronavirus infected patients as the situation is very critical,” he added. 

In the next two-three days, we will prepare more than six thousand oxygen beds, Kejriwal assured. Besides schools, beds for COVID-19 patients have been installed in Commonwealth Games Village and Yamuna Sports Complex, the CM said. 

Amid an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the positivity rate in Delhi has gone up to 30% from 25%, Kejriwal said in a televised address.