Delhi records around 900 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

The process of lifting the lockdown gradually in the capital will begin from Monday

In New Delhi, Covid-19 cases fell below the 1,000-mark for the first time in over two months after the second wave of the virus with 956 new infections.

The positivity rate also fell to 1.19 per cent after hitting over 35 per cent a month ago. The number of tests also rose to 80,473 while 122 deaths were reported, according to Saturday's medical bulletin.

On Friday, there were 1,141 cases from 71,853 tests, reporting a positivity rate of 1.59 per cent. There were 139 deaths reported on Friday.

Previously, it was on March 22 that less than 1,000 cases were recorded with 888 new cases.

“The Covid-19 cases are rapidly declining in Delhi and it is the hard work of the two crore people of Delhi that within one month we have been able to control the second wave," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday.

Also read: India's daily Covid-19 cases under 1.75L after 45 days; 3,617 deaths reported in 24 hours

A lockdown was imposed in Delhi from April 19 as cases had increased. The government will now begin phased unlocking from Monday by opening construction activities and factories though Metro services continue to be suspended.

Sources said Kejriwal was also keen to open markets but Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal-led Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) did not approve the proposal.

During the second half of April and the first week of May, the national capital had witnessed a surge in cases along with a severe shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. The number of tests, which usually crossed 80,000, also dipped.

Deaths continue to remain over 100 at present. On April 1, there were only nine deaths, it rose to 448 on May 3, the highest for a single day, and since April 22, the casualties have never gone below the 300-mark, except for May 9. The first three days of May saw over 400 deaths.