Tue, 21-Oct-2025

New Delhi lockdown extended as COVID Continues To Wreak Havoc in India

New Delhi lockdown extended

The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has continued to wreak havoc in India’s capital New Delhi with a high positivity rate which resulted in an extended lockdown till May 3.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Coronavirus still continues to wreak havoc. Public opinion is that lockdown should increase. So the lockdown is being extended for one week.”

However, the capital’s government will give concessions to self-employed people providing services which include electricians, plumbers and water purifier repairs.

The Chief Minister further added, “There is 36 per cent to 37 per cent positivity rate, which was not there before.”

“While we have failed to deliver oxygen at some places, in other places we have succeeded… the situation should be under control in the coming few days,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

On Thursday, the city had recorded a positivity rate of 36.24%. While it fell to 32.27% last evening and the death toll increased to a record high of 357.

Moreover, the Delhi CM said, “I have written a letter to all the Chief Ministers of the country yesterday. If you have any possibility of oxygen, then let us know. Negotiations have started with some states and I will tell you when any positive results will come.”

On Sunday, India reported a record daily surge of 3,49,691 new coronavirus cases with a total of 16.96 million infections.

According to health ministry data, a total of 2,767 people were reported dead on Sunday, taking the death toll to 1,92,311.

Read more

Saudi Arabia Sends 80 metric tons of liquid oxygen to India Amid COVID Spike

Saudi Arabia gifts 80 MT oxygen liquid to India

Saudi Arabia has on Saturday shipped 80 metric tons (MT) of liquid oxygen to India as the country is bearing a shortage of oxygen supply and patients suffering from COVID-19 are dying waiting for hospital beds.

The urgent oxygen supply shipment by Saudi Arabia is being undertaken in links with India’s Adani group and Linde company.

“Embassy of India is proud to partner with Adani group and M/s Linde in shipping much needed 80MT liquid oxygen to India. Our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Health Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all their help, support and cooperation,” India’s embassy based in Riyad said in a tweet.

India’s number of coronavirus cases soared to 349,691 in the past 24 hours.

Hundreds and thousands have died in hospitals in India’s New Delhi amidst low oxygen supplies.

Doctors have taken to social media to beg public authorities to get them resupplied. The government has mobilized to bring oxygen supplies by train, plane and trucks.

On the other hand, in order to express solidarity with the neighbouring country, Pakistan has announced to offer relief and support to India, including ventilators, Bi-PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs and other related items.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has announced the relief for India saying: “We believe in a policy of Humanity First.”

Also, the head of Edhi Foundation, Faisal Edhi has offered its services to help India deal with coronavirus crises.

Faisal Edhi had offered to provide 50 ambulances for coronavirus patients in India as a goodwill gesture.

In his letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he expressed grief over increasing Covid-19 cases and soaring casualties.

He said in the letter that mentions, “We, at the Edhi Foundation, have been closely following the current impact that the Covid-19 crisis has had on the people of India.

“We are very sorry to hear about the exceptionally heavy impact that the pandemic has had on your country, where a tremendous number of people are suffering immensely.”

Faisal Edhi offered the help of “a fleet of 50 ambulances along with our services to assist you in addressing, and further circumventing, the current health conditions”.

“Our team consists of emergency medical technicians, office staff, drivers, and supporting staff,” he added.

Read more