Appeal to the Central government to cancel the CBSE examinations

*In the upcoming CBSE examinations, 6 lakh students will appear and 1 lakh teachers will be involved in the examination process. These examination centres have the full potential of becoming COVID hotspots: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*65% of the patients from the corona cases that have been registered are less than 45 years of age, your life is extremely valuable, it is my humble appeal to the youth – please leave your homes only if absolutely necessary: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*It is my humble appeal to the people of Delhi, those who have recently recovered from COVID, please step forward and donate plasma at any of the three plasma centres: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*We have decided to attach banquet halls and hotels in the proximity of hospitals to increase the bed capacity; Patients who do not require intensive care can be placed in these facilities while those requiring constant surveillance of hospital staff can be admitted into hospitals: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*We need to also bring the hospital management within a system of efficient planning, so planned surgeries can be delayed for some time, emergency surgeries can still happen in our hospitals: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*We are now monitoring every patient within the hospital. If doctors feel that a particular patient can be cured from home, they are being requested to go back home where they will be provided with oximeters and proper guidance: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

*Corona cases are rising rapidly; in the last 24 hours, we have seen a rise of 13,500 cases: CM Arvind Kejriwal*

Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday appealed to the Central government to cancel CBSE board exams and introduce alternatives, to ensure the safety of the children in the country, since these examination centres can become COVID-19 hotspots. He also appealed to the youth to follow all COVID protocols and step out only if necessary, since 65% of the patients from the Corona cases that have been registered are less than 45 years of age. He urged the people who have recently recovered from COVID to step forward donate plasma at any of the three plasma centres of the Delhi government. He said that the Delhi government has decided to attach banquet halls and hotels in the proximity of hospitals to increase the bed capacity so that patients who do not require intensive care can be placed in these facilities while those requiring constant surveillance of hospital staff can be admitted into hospitals. Planned surgeries can be delayed for some time, emergency surgeries can still happen in our hospitals to bring the hospital management within a system of efficient planning, he added.

Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing a press conference today, said, “Corona cases are rising rapidly. In the last 24 hours, we have seen a rise of 13,500 cases. At its peak during the third wave in November, the number of cases was 8500. The present wave of Corona is quite contagious and data shows that the youth and children are getting affected more than ever, contrary to popular opinion about Corona. In data pertaining to the last 10-15 days, 65% of the patients from the corona cases that have been registered are less than 45 years of age. Your every of the youth is extremely precious not only to us in Delhi but to the country, to your families and loved ones. I understand that you are burdened with responsibilities, you have to take care of your aged parents, your spouses, your children – your families and their needs, however, it is my humble appeal to the youth – please leave your homes only if absolutely necessary. Secondly, when you do leave your homes, please strictly observe all COVID guidelines and protocols. Your safety is in your hands. Always wear your mask, sanitize, wash your hands. If you are above 45 years of age, please immediately go and get yourself vaccinated. The vaccination campaign is ongoing at all government hospitals, free of cost. Please avail of this facility and get yourself vaccinated.”

Requesting the Central government to cancel the CBSE exams in view of the Corona surge, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “Next, the safety and security of children is very important to us. In the upcoming CBSE examinations, 6 lakh students will appear and 1 lakh teachers will be involved in the examination process. These examination centres have the full potential of becoming COVID hotspots and given the safety and security of students, it is my humble appeal to the Centreforhat CBSE examinations be canceled. Alternative methods of examination can be accessed. We can either take online exams or assess students on an internal assessment pattern and declare results keeping the tense situation in mind. Many other countries that are facing tough circumstances, owing to the second wave of the virus, have canceled exams. Many states in our country have also canceled state board examinations. It is, therefore, my humble appeal to the Centre to cancel the CBSE examinations.”

He said, “As I have mentioned before, we do not wish to impose another lockdown. We wish to strengthen our existing healthcare facilities. Yesterday, we conducted a high level meeting with officials and medical staff to come up with a concrete plan on increasing the bed capacity of hospitals in Delhi. We have decided to attach banquet halls and hotels in proximity of hospitals to increase the bed capacity. Patients that do not require intensive care can be placed in these facilities while those requiring constant surveillance of hospital staff can be admitted into hospitals. For example there is a banquet hall opposite LNJP hospital, adding that to the hospital apparatus increases the total number of beds available and allows us to cover more patients. Some hospitals, both private and government, have been declared 100% COVID hospitals and will be catering only to COVID patients. I hope that we will receive support from the hospital management and the public in this. I understand that there are non-COVID diseases that require assistance, surgeries for instance.”

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal added that planned surgeries can be delayed for some time, emergency surgeries can still happen, we have enough hospitals to cover for those. He said, “We need to also bring the hospital management within a system of efficient planning. For example, we are now monitoring each and every patient within the hospital. If doctors feel that a particular patient can be cured from home, they are being requested to go back home. This is not the hospital or the government shirking from responsibility, not at all. We will provide such patients with an oximeter, our doctors will be calling them regularly to keep a check. We will monitor their situation even at home and bring them back to the hospital if the need be. This step however is important to ensure that serious COVID patients have beds available in hospitals. I request everyone to cooperate with the doctors over this, understand that they are taking everything into consideration and then recommending this step. It is their understanding, based on their expertise that you can be cured at home. I request everyone to have faith and let the hospital management function smoothly. Please understand, we are shouldering the responsibility of the whole of Delhi and their well-being. For us, each life matters.”

“Finally, it is my humble appeal to the people of Delhi, please donate plasma. During the last wave of Corona, the people of Delhi came together to donate. In the past months, the dip in cases decreased both, the demand and the number of plasma donations. Once again, the daily demand of plasma has increased. I request the citizens of Delhi, those who have recently recovered from COVID, to step forward and donate plasma. You can do this at LNJP and Rajiv Gandhi hospital. This is the time to come together as a people, as a citizen body, as a family and help each other out. If we continue to be proactive and work with the healthcare workers, with the government and for the people of Delhi, we will overcome this fourth wave as well as we overcame the first three waves,” added the CM.

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