Chances of a third Covid-19 wave 'quite real': Arvind Kejriwal

The national capital is coming out of a lockdown after daily cases dipped consistently

The chances of third wave of Covid-19 were “quite real”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday, even as he inaugrated 22 new oxygen plants at nine hospitals across the capital.

He said these plants have a total production capacity of 17.3 MT, and they will strengthen the preparations to fight Covid. As many as 17 more oxygen plants will be started by July, he said.

Kejriwal said the indications of a third wave were coming from Britain where Covid-19 cases were on the rise despite “45% of its population” being vaccinated.

He said Delhi government was also procuring oxygen tankers to aid the fight against a third wave.

Delhi needs 150-200 MT of medical oxygen for non-Covid purposes, apart from some amount of industrial oxygen, Kejriwal said adding that oxygen requirement had increased to 700 MT per day in April-May.

A total of 27 PSA oxygen plants, including the 22 inaugurated Saturday, have been made operational in Delhi. Apart from these, six plants have already been started by the Central government and seven are going to begin soon, the chief minister said.

Of the 22 PSA plants inaugurated Saturday, 17 have been given by HCL Technologies and four by Maruti Udyog. HCL will be supplying five more plants soon.