Delhi will continue plasma trial: Kejriwal

Addressing the media, Kejriwal said out of 3,515 coronavirus cases in Delhi, 1,100 patients have recovered and are discharged from hospitals.

Kejriwal said 59 people have lost their lives and there are 2,362 active cases in Delhi.

"The testing rate in Delhi has increased and 2,300 tests per 1 million people are conducted, as against the national average of 500 tests per million people," the Chief Minister said.

He said common perception would be that there is a sudden and steady rise in the number of COVID cases in Delhi, but "we have also decided that we will increase testing in Delhi to monitor those who have been infected and treat them thereafter".

He said this would also ensure the prevention of coronavirus spread from infected people.

"We are taking all possible steps to stop the spread of coronavirus. We have created containment zones, which are now getting de-contained because of our measures. We have also deployed machines for sanitisation," he added.

Kejriwal said the initial results of plasma therapy are positive.

"We got permission for a plasma therapy trial by the Central government in the Lok Nayak hospital in Delhi. The patient who was given the first trial and was admitted to an ICU in a critical condition recovered and was discharged from the hospital on Thursday because of the therapy," he said.

Kejriwal said a few statements on behalf of the Union government caused the people to believe that plasma therapy will be halted in Delhi.

"The Union government said that only those states permitted by it should conduct the plasma therapy trials. The results of the plasma therapy are not final, these results are just based on trials. Initial results are satisfactory and we hope that this technique can be treated as a sustainable solution for the future. We will continue the trial of the therapy."

Kejriwal said the government is contacting the people who have recovered, and almost every person is ready to donate their plasma.

The Chief Minister said that the Delhi government is trying its best to provide relief to the people who have been majorly affected by the COVID lockdown.

He said the quantity of ration provided will be doubled and kits having essential items will be given to all the PDS cardholders and non-cardholders.

"This month, we will double the free ration i.e., 10 kg ration per person per month. Besides, we will also be providing kits containing necessary items such as soap and spices."

On the movement of students and migrants, Kejriwal said many students from Delhi were studying in Kota, and they had been waiting to come back to their city.

"But, we could not take any action without any approval from the Central government. The Central government has allowed the movement now, and around 40 private buses will be leaving for Kota. I am glad that students will reach Delhi and will be able to meet their parents tomorrow."

However, he advised them to quarantine themselves for the next 14 days so that their family members are safe.

Kejriwal said that he is in talks with other states on the status of migrant workers.

"I have been getting calls and messages asking how people from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar would travel back to their native places. We are regularly communicating with these state governments, and the final plan will be shared soon," he said.