Centre says no community transmission in Delhi: Manish Sisodia

New Delhi:Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said that COVID-19 cases in the city are expected to shoot up to 5.5 lakh by July 31 while Central government officers have asserted that there is "no community spread in the national capital".

"Till June 15, there will be 44,000 COVID-19 cases and we would need 6,600 beds. We would hit one lakh cases and would require 15,000 beds by June 30. Till July 15, the cases would mount to 2.5 lakh and we would require 33,000 beds and till July 31, there will be 5.5 lakh cases and we would need 80,000 beds," Sisodia told reporters.

The remarks came a day after Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal issued an order striking down key announcements made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government to reserve beds in private and Delhi government hospitals for city residents.

The Lt Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, had in his order on Monday said that "treatment should not be denied to any patient on grounds of being a non-resident".

A day later, the Deputy Chief Minister said that if the cases keep doubling in 12.6 days, there will be shortage of beds and Delhiites will face its brunt. "We asked the L-G to reconsider the order, but he refused. Now, who will take the responsibility if the cases keep on increasing and the beds are full?" he asked.

Sisodia and State Health Minister Satyendar Jain spoke to the media after a meeting at Anil Baijal's residence ahead of an all-party meeting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday over the issue.

Sisodia said that during the meeting, central government officials said that there is no community spread of COVID-19 in the national capital.

"Officials from Centre say no community transmission of COVID-19 virus in Delhi," informed Sisodia.

Meanwhile, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain also sounded a note of caution and said that of the new cases reported in the city, nearly 50 percent are those in which the source of infection is not known.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal has called an all-party meeting later on Tuesday to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak and measures to contain its spread in the national capital.

Delhi has recorded over 1,000 cases of the infection in the last 24 hours, taking its tally to more than 29,000. At least 874 people have died of COVID-19.