'To create panic?': Gambhir questions AAP's '5.5 lakh COVID cases by July end' prediction

Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BJP MP Gautam Gambhir has accused the AAP administration of taking 'credit' for the improvement in COVID-19 situation in the national capital. The East Delhi MP also questioned the AAP government's prediction of 5.5 lakh COVID cases by the end of July and if the claim was just to create 'panic and blackmail' Centre for help. 

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After the LG overruled Delhi government's order of providing COVID treatment only to residents in the national capital, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had predicted an overload in cases and an estimated increase to almost 5.5 lakh cases by end of July. However, after the Central government intervened to take charge, Home Minister Amit Shah who has been at the helm in Delhi, refuted the prediction and assured improvement in the emerging crisis in the national capital. The COVID tally in Delhi now stands at 109140 along with 3300 deaths. At present, there are 21146 active cases while 84694 patients have recovered, as per Ministry of Health data. 

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Shah takes charge in Delhi

After the Supreme Court raised questions over the handling of the COVID crisis by the Delhi government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had intervened to ensure coordination between the Centre, AAP admin and the Delhi Municipal Cooperation to effectively battle the crisis. Since he took charge, Coronavirus testing has been ramped up and in an interview with ANI, the HM also assured that the entire population in the national capital's containment zones shall be tested. 

While the testing price has been capped to Rs 2400, the Centre also ordered a maximum cap on the treatment price by private as well as government hospitals. The infrastructure has also been ramped up as Delhi got a 10,000-bed COVID facility, which is one of the biggest across the country. 

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