COVID-19 pandemic phase ending in Delhi, claims Health Minister Satyendar Jain

In a significant development, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday (March 7) claimed that COVID-19 was nearing an "endemic" phase in the national capital.

It is to be noted that an infection is said to be endemic when the infection is maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area without external inputs.

"Coronavirus is nearing an endemic phase in Delhi. Experts say some cases continue to occur in the endemic phase. Delhi witnessed a swine flu outbreak around 10 years ago, but still some cases are reported every year. Coronavirus is not going to end completely... we will have to learn to live with it," Jain said.

According to Jain, the coronavirus positivity rate in Delhi was well below one per cent, while it was as high as 15 per cent in November last year.

Notably, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Delhi has remained below one per cent for over 60 days. Jain said that there is not much fluctuation in the positivity rate of coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the COVID-19 positivity rate should remain under 5 per cent to consider that things are under control.

According to Delhi health minister, less than 10 per cent beds reserved for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied in hospitals across the city. Jain added that the testing rate in Delhi was quite high and it is five times the national average.

Delhi government issued a health bulletin on Sunday saying that over 91,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Delhi on Saturday.